Candlesticks Dated 1776

Explanation:

These brass table candlesticks are plain, typically good quality examples of the classically-inspired ‘Adam’ style popular in the last quarter of the 18th century. They have tapering stems with moulded vase-shaped sockets and integral greasepans, and square bases of concave, truncated pyramidal form.

On the side of each base is engraved the inscription ‘7mo . 11 . 1776.’  Dated candlesticks are rare and this style of dating is itself unusual.  ‘7mo.’ appears to be an abbreviation of the Latin word ‘septimo‘, i.e. ‘on the seventh (day of)’, so the date concerned is 7th November 1776.  The significance of this date is unknwown, but it seems likely that the candlesticks, which would then have been in the latest fashion, were a gift, perhaps on the occasion of a marriage.