Description:
One of a set of four silver candlesticks marked "T:DANE" in an elongated oval on the underside,and once on the bobeche for Boston goldsmith Thomas Dane (1726-1759). American-made candlesticks, especially those dating before the American Revolution, are extremely rare. This set's elegant proportions and rococo ornamentation were clearly inspired by English examples, and it is known that Dane imported such sticks for resale; little is known of Dane's own work since few of his pieces survive. These candlesticks may have been owned by Benjamin Hallowell, Sr. (1723-1799) of Boston, a prominent shipwright and merchant. A full listing of Hallowell's plate appears in his 1773 probate inventory and includes: "2 Pr. Candlesticks, 1 Snuff Dish, 1 Large Salver, 1 Smaller Salver, 172 ozs. @ 8/ = 68:16." Set of 4 candlesticks - probably either one pair and a second pair made to match; all of elaborate cast pattern with modeled scalloped bases and shafts with gadrooned bands and foliate mid sections, cast sockets repeats gadrooned detail and detachable bobeches or nozzles have shell motif and curves of base, good weight, evidence of casting clear on bases, seams visible along shafts, movement flowing and beautiful. There is some evidence of cast marks on the bases of A and C - it has been conjectured in the past that these sticks may have been English and re-marked by Dane - but XRF analysis done at the Winterthur Museum appeared to confirm the American origin of all four of these sticks. Marked T:DANE in an elongated oval four times on base in four corners, and once on the upper scallop of the nozzle. Some marks are very rubbed.
Condition: Excellent condition, side seams apparent on both sticks and bobeches, but all appear to be stable (stick A is the most "open"), top of sticks well worn where bobeche slides in - some fit better than others (bobeche on candlestick B is not marked and appears to be a modern replacement, note holes and different design and construction.) Stick A has not been as well polished as the others, appears darker, silver quality???, nozzle of stick 67.265 is badly cracked on top as well.
Label Text:
Exhibited in "Rococo: Celebrating 18th-Century Design and Decoration" (2018-2019): The elegant proportions and scroll and shell work ornament displayed on these candlesticks were inspired by contemporary English silver examples. Silversmith Thomas Dane likely formed his casting molds for these candlesticks using an imported original in the latest Rococo taste. Very few colonial American silver candlesticks surivive today, and sets of four are extremely rare. Given their high cost and laborious production, few were made.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+67.265B |
