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Lot Essay
GEORGE WICKES (1698-1761)
George Wickes, whose life and work was discussed by Elaine Barr in her comprehensive work, George Wickes, Royal Goldsmith 1698-1761, London, 1980, was born in Bury St Edmunds, the son of James Wickes, an upholsterer and his wife Dorothy. He apprenticed through the Goldsmiths’ Company to Samuel Wastell on 2 December 1712, having made a payment of £30. He was made free by service in 1720. As the laws governing the hallmarking of silver decreed that no one under the age of 24 could be granted a freedom, it was not until 3 February 1722 that he was able to enter his first mark as a goldsmith, working in Threadneedle Street. In the 18th century it was not common for houses to be individually numbered and so his shop was marked with a sign depicting a fleur-de-lys over the door, a symbol he incorporated into his mark. Wickes flourished as a silversmith and was able to claim a large list of illustrious clients and ambitious commissions. In addition to the Leinster Service (Christie's, London, 5 July 2012, lot 48) this included tureens for Francis, Lord North and the Pelham Gold Cup, designed by William Kent for Colonel James Pelham, private secretary to the Prince of Wales.
The present candlesticks were originally from a set of of at least eight, of which four others were sold
Woolley and Wallis, Salisbury, 30 April 2008, lot 1037.
George Wickes, whose life and work was discussed by Elaine Barr in her comprehensive work, George Wickes, Royal Goldsmith 1698-1761, London, 1980, was born in Bury St Edmunds, the son of James Wickes, an upholsterer and his wife Dorothy. He apprenticed through the Goldsmiths’ Company to Samuel Wastell on 2 December 1712, having made a payment of £30. He was made free by service in 1720. As the laws governing the hallmarking of silver decreed that no one under the age of 24 could be granted a freedom, it was not until 3 February 1722 that he was able to enter his first mark as a goldsmith, working in Threadneedle Street. In the 18th century it was not common for houses to be individually numbered and so his shop was marked with a sign depicting a fleur-de-lys over the door, a symbol he incorporated into his mark. Wickes flourished as a silversmith and was able to claim a large list of illustrious clients and ambitious commissions. In addition to the Leinster Service (Christie's, London, 5 July 2012, lot 48) this included tureens for Francis, Lord North and the Pelham Gold Cup, designed by William Kent for Colonel James Pelham, private secretary to the Prince of Wales.
The present candlesticks were originally from a set of of at least eight, of which four others were sold
Woolley and Wallis, Salisbury, 30 April 2008, lot 1037.