George IV Gilt Bronze Chandelier Attributed to Messenger & Son
£8,500
An exceptionally fine George IV gilt bronze ten-light chandelier. Attributed to Thomas Messenger & Son, (active 1828-1831) The foliate canopy above seven hanging rods suspending a fixture with ten, finely cased, foliate-scrolling arms. Originally made for use with candles and now wired for electricity.
The firm Thomas Messenger (1767-1832), began in 1797 with Thomas Phipson was to become the most important manufacturer of oil and gas lighting of the 19th-century. Listed initially as: “Brass Founders, Manufacturers of Church Candlesticks, Patent Lamps, Etc.” their successors were to survive into the 1920s. Their partnership lasted until 1823, the year after they opened a London office at 21 Grenville Street, Hatton Garden. For the next two years Thomas Messenger is listed in London city directories alone and then in 1828 with his son Samuel as “Thomas Messenger and Son” at the same address. After Thomas’ death in 1832, the firm became known as “Thomas Messenger and Sons” continuing at Hatton Garden, London and Broad Street, Birmingham into the 1860s.
