$95.00
This single counterbalanced piano candleholder is in the style of those designed and made by W. A. S. Benson, active in England during the Arts and Crafts Movement. They are balanced on a heavy cannon-ball-style weight, made to project over the keys and illuminate the sheet music (see history below). This particular candleholder is a later 20th-century reproduction (1950s to 1970s) and isn’t marked. Note the interesting feet. It can be disassembled for easy cleaning. It measures about 12.25″ long x 5.25″ wide x 6″ tall and accommodates a standard taper; weight is 3 lbs. 4 oz. Very good used vintage condition with age-appropriate wear, including color variations, minor scuffs and some pitting on the drip pan. When viewed straight on from the candleholder end, it doesn’t sit perfectly straight, but it was made that way with the stem being of uneven thickness where it meets the drip pan–see last image.
Out of stock
HISTORY (from online sources): William Arthur Smith Benson (1854 – 1924) was a British designer active during the Arts and Crafts Movement. He set up his business, W. A. S. Benson and Co., in 1880 at North End Road, West Kensington, London. Working within the English Arts and Crafts Movement, his firm’s reputation for fine metalwork soon grew. Benson’s designs for lighting and tableware in copper, brass and silver plate have become increasingly collectable as his work has become more widely appreciated. Benson and Co. moved to larger premises in Hammersmith and continued until 1920 when he went into retirement. His piano candlesticks, examples of which are the British Museum, Musée d’Orsay and the Chicago Art Institute, were designed to also be carried in the hand and placed down safely. They appeared in Benson’s 1899 – 1900 Price List of Fittings for Oil, Gas, Candle, Table Ware, Etc., and identified as “for piano or mantelpiece.”
Benson designed hundreds of items for modern living in an age of social change and catered to modern clients who were now living in their homes without staff, cleaning and cooking for themselves in an informal manner. With these clients in mind, Benson created a lacquer for brass and copper to stop tarnish, which was a huge success in the modern home. Something that set Benson apart from other Arts and Crafts designers was his passion for industry and machinery. His workshop was full of machines and chemicals that he used in his creation process and this showed in his work through interesting mechanisms, joints and visible wires.
SHIPPING: $12 flat rate shipping valid only for street addresses within contiguous United States; we cannot deliver to post office boxes. For shipping to Alaska, Hawaii and elsewhere, please contact us with your location for a custom shipping quote.
A WORD ABOUT VINTAGE & ANTIQUES: Our inventory consists of items that are vintage (at east 20 years old) or antique (at least 100 years old), usually pre-owned and used, unless marked “new old stock.” As such, there may be signs of wear and age, which we will disclose to the best of our ability. Nevertheless, we encourage you to carefully read the description and view the photos, especially when purchasing a gift.
TRACKING & INSURANCE: All items ship with tracking and insurance and, although we do not accept returns, we will offer a refund in case of breakage or damage during transit. In such cases, please retain all packaging and provide photos in order that an insurance claim can be filed with the carrier.
Thank you for shopping at AlegriaCollection–and please visit the rest of my shop here: https://www.vintage-keepers.com/shops/alegriacollection/
Customer has up to 30 days unless vendor opts out of return policy per item to return a product for any reason such as damaged item, size, or unhappiness with product upon arrival. Read our full return policy.
I purchased two items from this shop. They arrived surprisingly quickly, and it was evident that extreme care was taken to ensure they arrived safely. I greatly appreciate the attention and extra care when packaging up the items. How sad it would be to purchase an antique that has survived multiple generations, only to be destroyed by USPS! Thank you so much for a wonderful shopping experience!
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Your Review
danicatheracecardriver –
Wonderful experience, meticulous packaging!
I purchased two items from this shop. They arrived surprisingly quickly, and it was evident that extreme care was taken to ensure they arrived safely. I greatly appreciate the attention and extra care when packaging up the items. How sad it would be to purchase an antique that has survived multiple generations, only to be destroyed by USPS! Thank you so much for a wonderful shopping experience!