Pair George II cast silver candlesticks

Fine pair of George II cast silver candlesticks with shaped square bases. This pair has very crisp hallmarks underneath and a family coat-of-arms* on one side of each base. They are in excellent and original condition.

The arms as engraved upon this pair of George II English sterling silver candlesticks are those of the family of Anson quartering Carrier. The Ansons, Earls of Lichfield, still bear this quartering in their arms today.

This pair of candlesticks was most probably in the possession of Thomas Anson of Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire. He was the eldest son of William Anson, and inherited the family seat and its surrounding estate as a young man upon his father's death in 1720. Thomas was educated at St John's College, called to the bar at Inner Temple and many years later was elected to sit in the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Lichfield.

Francis, son of Anthony Nelme citizen and Goldsmith of London, apprenticed to his father 6 March 1712. Free, 9 April 1719. Livery, October 1721. First mark entered below his father's undated large mark with the note, 'Francis Nelme the same marks March 20:1723'. Second mark, 19 June 1739. Address: Ave Mary Lane, 1721; London 1722-27; St. Martin's Ludgate, 1736; and London, 1739-59