ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM PARKER, LATE 18TH CENTURY

William Parker (d. 1784) of Fleet Street, London, founded the renowned lighting firm of the same name, the business flourished becoming Parker and Perry in 1802-3. Amongst the best documented Parker commissions is that for William, 5th Duke of Devonshire for Chatsworth, circa 1782-3. Various distinctive features can be related to the known oeuvre of the famed late 18th century cut-glass lighting manufacturer, notably the pineapple finial and and unusual form of the central shaft, one of a pair of candelabra employing these features is attributed to the firm by Martin Mortimer and is illustrated in his book The English Glass Chandelier (Suffolk, 2000, p. 106, pl. 53). A clock with similar finial and firm attribution as it featured Parker's patent base (which also features amongst the Devonshire commission), previously in the collection of Professor Sir Albert Richardson was sold, Apter-Fredericks: 75 Years of Important English Furniture, Christie's, London 19 January 2021, lot 8.