Large Silver Plated Centrepiece Epergne Candelabrum Victorian c 1840

An impressive early Victorian antique fluted and foliate silver plated centrepiece with a central cut glass epergne and three removable arm candelabrum dating from around 1840.

This is an exquisite quality highly decorative and useful item on an ornate shaped triangular base with shell and foliate scroll bracket feet. The base of the central column is decorated with applied Hart’s-tongue fern shaped leaves. The centre of the column swells out to make a platform for the branch candlestick arms. This section is decorated with vine leaves, bunches of grapes and vine tendrils. 

The ends of the candelabra arms are each stamped with a number one to three and the base sockets have a small matching number stamped above them. The "S" shaped candle arms are decorated with acanthus leaf scrolls and a small flower and they each terminate in an ornate scalloped and shaped integral bobeche or drip pans. Each bobeche has a small central tapped hole into which the candle socket and nozzle screw.

The central column forms a reeded trumpet shape above the candelabra sockets, there are applied roses and rosebuds at the top where it finishes with a central screw to connect the top silver plated dish. This silver plated dish is scalloped and shaped in the same manner as the three bobeches but, additionally it has some diamond shaped piercing. This central silver plated dish holds the detachable cut glass turn over rim bowl which has a fan cut edge and has a floral cut and frosted base.

This beautiful antique item is silver plate on copper, some collectors may describe this as Old Sheffield Plate, but the piercing on the top dish leads us to believe that it is electroplated.  There are no makers marks on any of the items.

This centre piece is in very good antique condition, there is some minor wear to the plate, notably on the high points, minor marks commensurate with age and use. The antique cut glass dish is contemporary with centrepiece but is possibly a marriage, as are the candle holder sockets and nozzles. The glass dish has just a few minor chips and nicks to the edge of the fan cut rim, It makes a lovely ring when tapped with the finger. Please see the images. 

This is an outstanding example of an antique Victorian silver plated centre piece candelabra either for use on a dining table or for a collector of metal-ware or old silver plate. This centrepiece dates to the second quarter of the 19th century during the reign of Queen Victoria, circa 1840.

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Overall Height 17 1/4 inches ( 44 cm)
Overall Diameter 18 inches ( 46 cm)
Base diameter 10 inches ( 25.4 cm)
Weight 7.4 kilogrammes unpacked