- Museum number
- S59
S59A - Object
- Candlestick, John Cafe (active 1740–1757), London, silver, 1753/54
- Description
- Originally part of a set of four candlesticks. Two were stolen in 1994. S60 also remains. S59-S62 were the original set.Cast, the shaped square bases stepped and with shell corners, supporting baluster and faceted stems; with above, the capitals having rope borders; similar shell-cornered nozzles engraved with later Holburne arms at the base of stems.Artist information:From a Castle Cary family in Somerset. John Cafe and his brother William Cafe (See also S63 and S64) were the leading candlestck producers of their day.
- Materials
- Silver
- Inscription
- Maker's name IC in Gothic letters, rosette above for JOHN CAFE.
- On display?
- Yes
Further description
- Simple name
- Lighting Device
Drip tray - Subject
- Decorative
- Dimensions
- regular: 23.0cm (w)
Candlestick
John Cafe (active 1740–1757), London
Silver, 1753/54
S59
The concept of ‘good taste’ first appeared in the eighteenth century. The rise of the middle classes meant that relatively ordinary people were able to purchase fashionable luxury goods for the first time.
Early in the century the heavy baroque style remained fashionable. During the 1730s the new lighter rococo style appeared with its asymmetries and motifs based on nature.
Neoclassicism, derived from Greece and Rome and inspired by archaeological discoveries, emerged in the 1750s partly as a reaction to the excesses of the rococo. It was to dominate art and design until the 1830s.
Please help us improve our records. Let us know if there are any errors by writing to curators@holburne.org