A pair of George III Irish sterling silver candlesticks, Dublin 1776 by William Hughes (active 1767-84)

A pair of George III Irish sterling silver candlesticks, Dublin 1776 by William Hughes (active 1767-84)

Each of shaped hexagonal form with rocaille shells rising to a domed centre with an inverted baluster leaf capped knop column and a gadrooned capital. The pull-out sconces of hexagonal form with gadrooned shell edge. Engraved underneath ‘1’ with scratch weight 24 = 16, and ‘4’, 23 = 17, one sconce engraved 4. Each fully marked to the footrim edge at intervals, the maker’s mark W.H in a rectangle. Each capital part-marked with town mark and standard mark. The sconce engraved 4, part-marked with town mark and standard mark, the other unmarked. Each candlestick underneath with remnants of a cast impression of Hughes mark W*H below a crown. (2)

Height – 26.6 cm / 10.45 inches

Weight – 1491 grams / 47.94 ozt