A Fine Pair of George III Gilt-Metal-Mounted Gilt-Ornamented Blue Glass and Faceted Clear and Lemon Glass Table Candelabra Attributed to William Parker circa 1790

these fine table candelabra or girandoles may be attributed with certainty to the London glass-maker William Parker whose business in Fleet Street is first recorded in 1762, although his antecedents are unclear. Recorded as buying his supplies from the nearby glassworks at Whitefriars, one of his earliest recorded first major commissions appears to be that for supplying chandeliers for the Tea Room at the Bath Assembly Room and, subsequently replacing the faulty ones which had been supplied by Jonathan Collett. On March 28, 1781 Parker took out a patent that covered candelabra bases considered by Martin Mortimer in his The English Glass Chandelier, p. 97, pl. 43, to be the type supplied by him to the Duke of Devonshire in 1782-3. The profile and gilt-metal mounts of their bases are almost identical to those on the present candelabra, differing only in the color of the glass which is green, and the design of the gilded decoration. A set of four, the Devonshire candelabra are of a larger and more complex design than the present lot, the plainer faceting on the present arms possibly indicating a slightly later date.  An unusual feature of this pair is the use of yellow or lemon-colored glass for the drops. Besides the green and blue glass bases others were supplied by Josiah Wedgwood in variously colored jasper-ware.

Purchased from W. G. T. Burne, London

The drops, spires, arms, bobeches and canopies with minor chips to the edges overall as usual; one canopy above a swan neck with broken scallop and lacking drop; minor chips to the edges of blue glass bases with slight rubbing to gilt decoration; gilt-metal mounts with some discoloration overall
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

See:
Martin Mortimer, The English Glass Chandelier, Woodbridge, 2000, Chapter Eight, 'William Parker and the refinement of the neo-classical chandelier', pp. 94-110, pls. 34, 42, 43