Chamberstick (one of a pair)
1816–17
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...