Chamberstick (one of a pair)

Chamberstick (one of a pair) by William Elliott

Medium

Silver

Dimensions

Overall: 3 1/8 × 5 1/4 in. (7.9 × 13.3 cm)

Classification

Metalwork-Silver

Culture

British, London

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of Louise and David Braver, 2006

Accession Number

2006.470.25a–c

Art Historical Context

This elegant chamberstick, one of a pair crafted by London silversmith William Elliott 1816–17, offers a glimpse into Regency-era life. Designed as a portable candlestick for bedrooms or chambers, its compact size—measuring just 3 1/8 × 5 1/4 inches—allowed users to safely carry a lit candle at night, shielding flames with a drip pan and handle. Such objects were essential before electric lighting, blending practicality with refined taste. Made of silver, a hallmark of luxury in early 19th-century Britain, this piece exemplifies the high craftsmanship of London's metalwork trade. Elliott, wor...

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