{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O67497"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O67497/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AK1932/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AK1932/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AK1932","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O67497/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O67497","accessionNumber":"M.116-1912","objectType":"Candlestick","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Before the 1780s candles made of tallow, beeswax and spermaceti (sperm whale oil) were the chief source of artificial light. Even in the 19th century, with competition from oil lamps, gas and electricity, candles and candlesticks remained essential items used throughout the home and moved from room to room as light was required.\r\n\r\nThis candlestick is made of Sheffield plate, a fusion of copper and silver, discovered in 1742 by a Sheffield cutler, Thomas Boulsover (1704-1788). It imitates the appearance of solid silver, but at less than half the cost. It is made from die-stamped sections soldered together. The candlestick form was well suited to the technical innovation of die stamping. In this technique, where relief decoration was formed in thin sheets of metal, such as Sheffield plate or silver, the ornament could be assembled in a variety of combinations to provide a vast supply of models, differing from each other in only one or two details. The candlestick is decorated in an ornate, revived Rococo style.","physicalDescription":"Six-sided base decorated in relief with shellwork, fluting, and gadrooning; shaped stem similarly enriched; moulded socket (no nozzle).","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Sheffield plate","id":"AAT81349"}],"techniques":[{"text":"plating","id":"AAT53991"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Sheffield plate","categories":[{"text":"Lighting","id":"THES48925"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Tableware & cutlery","id":"THES48888"}],"styles":[{"text":"Rococo Revival","id":"AAT21466"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AK1932"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"007","id":"THES412562"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Candlestick","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Sheffield","id":"x29138"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"second half 18th century","earliest":"1750-01-01","latest":"1800-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"10.3","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"5.7","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"foot","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"English, second half of 18th century, copper plated with silver.; Sheffield plate","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"Reason For Production: Retail","productionType":{"text":"Mass produced","id":"THES48863"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["M.116-1912"],"accessionNumberNum":"116","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1912,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-12-08","recordCreationDate":"2002-09-17","availableToBook":true}}