Pr. Old Sheffield / Electro Plate Transitional Triple Branch Candelabra c. 1855

Description

This remarkable pair of large English very early electroplate or Old Sheffield Plate / Electroplate transitional three branch candelabra date to c. 1855.   They feature the later rococo styling typical of the Georgian period with hand engraved acanthus leaves, bell flowers and gadrooned bases.  They have the feature of being convertible from three branch candelabra to large single candlesticks and have a total of eight detachable bobeches.  All the bobeches and the stems of the upper armatures as well as the base of the candelabra themselves are pseudo-hallmarked (sometimes slightly differently) in a way that resembles Old Sheffield plater's marks.  I have not been able to find the marks in any reference books but I suspect they are made in Sheffield, England in the early Victorian Period.  The plating on this pair of candelabra is in excellent condition with no wear through on the show surfaces. Both candelabra are in very good condition with a few relatively insignificant dents around the bases and an old repair on the central column of the upper section.  It appears that a silver collar was very skillfully fitted at that point to strengthen that section (see our last photo).  Both are also engraved on the bases in very small letters:
MAF to JMK
.  The initials appear to be contemporary with the candelabra.  The candelabra are 21" tall and each weighs in excess of 7lbs.  Both have an majestic and an extremely well maintained antique appearance.
SA2A- 21(2)