Art Funded by you

George II rosewood Candlestand or Torchère

Unknown maker, 1745

Courtesy Fairfax House. Photo: Jeremy Philips
Courtesy Fairfax House. Photo: Jeremy Philips Courtesy Fairfax House. Photo: Jeremy Philips

This rare George II torchère (candlestand) is a particularly fine example of its kind, being distinguished by its exquisite craftsmanship and carved embellishments, including acanthus leaves and feet in the shape of lion’s paws.

Torchères were generally made in pairs, and this example has been identified as the matching partner (formerly assumed lost) to the rosewood candlestand now in the collection of Fairfax House. The Fairfax House torchère was acquired by the collector Noel Terry from the London dealer Mallet in 1944, so the pair must have been separated before this date.

Terry (of the Terry’s chocolate family) built his nationally significant collection of Georgian furniture and clocks between 1918 and 1980. On his death it was given to York Civic Trust and is now housed in the Georgian rooms at the Fairfax House museum.

Both tray tops show the same colour loss, likely from light exposure during their time together in the same environmental conditions. They are now reunited as part of Fairfax House’s scholarly displays of 18th-century furniture and interiors.

More information

Title of artwork, date

George II rosewood Candlestand or Torchère, 1745

Medium and material

Wood, carved Indian rosewood or Padouk

Dimensions

78.2 x 51

Grant

4225

Total cost

8450

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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