Pair of Queen Anne cast Britannia silver candlesticks

Pair of octagonal cast Britannia silver candlesticks made during the reign of Queen Anne in the early 18th century. They are in wonderful condition, showing the slight signs of wear one would expect on pieces that are more than 300 years old. Made in Britannia silver (.958), a higher grade than sterling silver, and hallmarked underneath with wonderfully clear stamps.

Each silver candlestick is engraved with a yet-to-be-identified contemporaneous family crest of an eagle on a mound, with outstretched wings, holding a heraldic shield.

Note that these silver candlesticks are not filled; the weight is entirely Britannia silver. Britannia silver is a high-grade alloy of silver which has a purity of 95.8% (by weight), with the additional component being copper.  The silver content is higher than sterling silver (92.5%) so the metal is softer and more malleable. Today Britannia silver is mostly reserved for creating special commissions.

This pair of Queen Anne silver candlesticks is not available to purchase online. Please contact us if you would like more information or are interested to buy it.