Paul de Lamerie is lauded for his mastery over the Rococo style, and this extraordinarily rare set of four George II-period silver candlesticks are a testament to the artisan's unparalleled eye for design. Embossed with shells and floral decorations that represent the sophistication of the Rococo style, they also boast a baluster form that lends each stick a graceful silhouette. As a whole, they reveal de Lamerie's eye for detail and balance, as well as his high level of precision and craftsmanship. While a pair of de Lamerie candlesticks is considered a rarity, to find a matching set of four in such exceptional condition is to discover something truly special. A similar, though slightly less ornate, set can be found in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York). For nearly three centuries, Paul de Lamerie has been revered as one of the most important English craftsmen of all time and certainly the most important silversmith of the 18th century. Born to a Huguenot family, he moved to London before his first birthday and, by the age of 15, was already apprenticing in a fashionable silversmith shop. De Lamerie entered his first maker's mark at the Assay office in 1713. Three years later, he was appointed Royal Goldsmith, and in 1717 was known to all in England as “the King's Silversmith.” He went on to create a 40-year legacy of the finest and most highly sought-after English silver. His innovative talent of combining Rococo style with classic Queen Anne tastes elevated him to a master of his art, and it is argued that none since have matched his dynamic abilities. Hallmarked London, 1741 5 1/2" wide x 5 1/2" deep x 9" high