A George II sterling silver taper stick, London 1745 by Thomas Gilpin (reg. 24^th Sep 1740)

The base of incurved and rounded square form, a dished well leading to a panelled column with circular knop and fluted junction to a plain moulded capital. The base later engraved with a 19^th century crest of a lion sejant erect. Engraved underneath with an initial E. in Roman script. Fully marked underneath.

Height – 10.5 cm / 4.25 inches

Weight – 111 grams / 3.57 ozt

Tomas Gilpin was the son of Robert Gilpin and apprenticed to John Wells on the 7th January 1720, his first marked entered 24th September 1730 at ‘ye Acorn in ye Strand’. When he registered his second mark on the 2nd July 1739 his address was given as Lincoln’s Inn Black Gate. Grimwade notes on Gilpin’s work that he “is an extremely accomplished exponent of Rococo style. He is well represented by the candlesticks and tureens in the collection at Althorp.”