The Butler Hoard - 1st July 2025

Lot 247

OF POLITICAL INTEREST. A HEAVY BRASS CHAMBERSTICK

Estimate £400 - £600

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Description

OF POLITICAL INTEREST. A HEAVY BRASS CHAMBERSTICK

ENGLISH, C.1820-52

the bold campana-shaped socket with detachable sconce, on a circular dished and flat base with engraved linear bands, a scroll finger-handle, the underside stamped 'CHANCELLOR. OF THE EXCHECQUERS. OFFICE.'

7cm high, 15.5cm diameter

Provenance

The collection of The Rt. Hon. Ramsay MacDonald (1866-1937), British Prime Minister 1924, 1929-35.

Catalogue Note

Either this chamberstick survived the fire which destroyed the Houses of Parliament in 1834 or was supplied for the new Palace of Westminster which opened in 1852.

Literature

Illustrated in R. Butler, 'A Study Collection of Marked Domestic Brass and Other Base Metalware c.1600-c.1900', p.24, no. 34.