candelabrum

By the late 18th century, English manufacturers had taken full advantage of the refractive qualities of lead glass by adding sophisticated cutting to their wares. In 1780, Parliament lifted a 35-year ban on the exportation of Irish glass, and the tax-free Irish glass industry responded by producing large quantities of wares for export. Many English glassworkers moved to Ireland to take advantage of the financial benefits. The styles of English and Irish cut glass became very similar, and this glass is often referred to as “Anglo-Irish.” Luxurious consumer goods, offered in fashionable London showrooms, included many light fittings. Wax candles were an expensive commodity, and efforts were made to maximize the amount of illumination they could provide. Moses Lafount, a “lustre-mounter” in London, patented this design for a candelabrum constructed with ormolu mounts. Festoons of cut drops added a magnificent jewel-like appearance to the elegant neo-classical shape.