A Monumental English Silver Plated Epergne candelabra, unattributed maker, late 19th Century
Antique Monumental Fine English Silver Epergne 6 Arm Candelabra with Glass Bowl . Engraved: A Legacy From F. Bayly Esquire 1891 (possibly Fredrick Esquire 1857-1930?) Material: unsure, maybe silver plate? Markings: bottom of one of the three feet has the number 2466 engraved. Features: lots of details with two adorable little boy figures playing as if they were in a tree. Condition: Very good
19.5 inches diameter x 28.75 inches high
Inherited
Yes
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
I'm confident this is silver plate and while it's shame that there isn't more information on F. Bayly Esquire or the maker, the monumental size of this epergne candelbra warrant a fair-market value of $8,000-12,000.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
A Monumental English Silver Plated Epergne candelabra,
unattributed maker, late 19th Century
Surmounted by a cut- or pressed-glass bowl over a naturalistically cast standard issuing six S-form candle arms with foliate bobeche over two climbing figures, the base with a reserve an engraved presentation inscription "A LEGACY FROM / F. Bayly Esqr / 1891", on three scrolled feet, one impressed "2466." Otherwise unmarked.
28-3/4 inches high, 19-1/2 inches diameter
CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$8,000-12,000*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
Lisa,
I know it's difficult to take clear photos of silver marks but if you can take clear photos of these marks (just one if they are all alike but each if they are different) and attach them to this appraisal, I'll take a look through my silver books to see if I can find a match to it/them.
If, by some chance it won't let you add photos (there shouldn't be a limit but you've attached quite a few already), please email them to [email protected], referencing this appraisal and they'll forward them to me so I can look at them that way.
I'm enjoying the sleuthing on this appraisal - thanks!
~ Delia
Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly. I added closeup pictures of the ES mark from each piece and also included a couple of pictures to show how it comes apart. :-) Thanks again for all your help and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Your photos are great!
Here's what I've found in my silver books (I take the online databases with a small grain of salt)...
We can discount the following ES marks for silversmiths who did not work in silverplate: Ernest Sieber who was working in London in the mid 18th Century because he was too early (though the mark is similar); the mark for E. Sampson looks quite similar but it dates to about 1828-29; Edward Smith's mark is also similar - he was working in Birmingham in the early 1830s and Edward Sawyer was also working in Birmingham but between 1778-79.
I can't find marks for either Edward Sweet, or Edward Stammers who I've not ruled out as making silver plate as well as solid silver articles.
In truth, while it would be great to be able to attribute these to a known maker, the marks aren't immediately pointing to silversmiths of such repute and significance as to increase the value on these measurably.
~ Delia
Thank you Delia, you have been an amazing resource and look forward to working with you on my future valuation requests.
Wonderful - looking forward to that too!
Hi Delia,
Thank you so much for the great valuation. After removing the center piece and 3 arms, I noticed they are all marked ES. I wanted to see if you could identify which silversmith it is and does it change the valuation amount? When I googled those initials, here is what it says "On antique silver, "ES" can indicate different silversmiths, depending on the specific context and location. It could be Edward Smith, Edward Sweet, or Edward Stammers, for instance, all from different periods and locations in England. To determine the precise meaning, you'll need to consider the style of the mark and the location of the silver. "
Thank you again for your time and look forward to hearing back from you.
Lisa