Prince of Wales - A George II sterling silver candlestick, London 1750 by Thomas Heming (reg. 12th June 1745)

The base of shaped and incurved square form with splayed shell scroll corners, the central column with circular knops below a waisted fluted centre leading to a shaped square shell capped knop below a plain capital. The base engraved with traces of a crest, probably; issuing from a coronet composed of crosses pattée three ostrich feather plumes all above a scroll, possibly traces of initials either side. Fully marked underneath.

Height – 22.5 cm / 8.75 inches

Weight – 490 grams / 15.75 ozt

The crest is for the Prince of Wales For HRH Prince Frederick Lewis, Prince of Wales (1 February 1707 – 31 March 1751), eldest but estranged son of George II and Caroline of Ansbach, and the father of George III. Styled Prince of Wales from 8th January 1729 – 31st March 1751.

This crest encircled and surmounted by the Royal crown is found of a pair of second course dishes belonging to Prince George Augustus Frederick the eldest son of George III and Queen Charlotte, London 1791 by Richard Simpson, sold Sotheby’s Paris, 19 Dec 2017, lot 644 (€7,500 incl. premium)

This crest on its own and flanked by G and R, for George Augustus Prince of Wales, later George II of Great Britain, London 1717 by Benjamin Pyne was offered Sotheby’s Beijing, 27-30 Nov 2014, lot 2.

Heming was appointed principal Goldsmith to the King between 1760-1782. He was apprenticed to Peter Archambo on 7th March 1738.

Andrew Milne Collection