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ID #SA1185025
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Derby Pair of Musician Candlesticks, Patch-mark Period, C. 1765–1770
Ritas Bazaar
Id #SA1185025
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Derby Pair of Musician Candlesticks, Patch-mark Period, C. 1765–1770

18th century
For Sale by Ritas Bazaar
Description

A finely preserved pair of Derby candlestick figures, “Seated Musicians with Bagpipes and Guitar”, each on an openwork scroll base with flowering bocage. The piper sits beside a hound, while the young woman holds a stringed instrument with a lamb at her side.

Comparable examples appear in the V&A collection. The pair corresponds to model no. 280 recorded by Bradshaw. Twitchett identifies this bocage and base type as among Derby’s most successful designs of c.1765. Within the group of related models E12, E13 and 307, this candlestick version is considered the most desirable.

Both figures retain their original instruments, displaying the modelling strength and rich enamels characteristic of the early Duesbury period. A museum-level pair, complete with bocage and original matching bases.

Dimensions:

Girl (guitar): 823 g; height 20.5 cm; width 17 cm; depth 10 cm

Piper: 849 g; height 20 cm; width 17 cm; depth 10 cm

Condition:

Girl: some flowers chipped; otherwise excellent, the mandolin intact, the lamb intact, and the candlestick preserved on its original base.

Piper: loss to the central feather on the hat; some flowers chipped; spikes on the dog’s collar chipped; candlestick on its original base; otherwise in excellent antique condition.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.

Physical Dimensions
Height
20.5cm (8.07")
Width
17cm (6.69")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Declaration

Ritas Bazaar has dated these Derby Porcelain Musician Candlesticks to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1185025
Description
A finely preserved pair of Derby candlestick figures, “Seated Musicians with Bagpipes and Guitar”, each on an openwork scroll base with flowering bocage.
The piper sits beside a hound, while the young woman holds a stringed instrument with a lamb at her side.
Ritas Bazaar
fig 1. A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops.
fig 1. Derby Pair of Musician Candlesticks, Patch-mark Period, C. 1765–1770

Comparable examples appear in the V&A collection. The pair corresponds to model no. 280 recorded by Bradshaw. Twitchett identifies this bocage and base type as among Derby’s most successful designs of c.1765. Within the group of related models E12, E13 and 307, this candlestick version is considered the most desirable.

fig 2. A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops.
fig 2. Derby Pair of Musician Candlesticks, Patch-mark Period, C. 1765–1770

Both figures retain their original instruments, displaying the modelling strength and rich enamels characteristic of the early Duesbury period. A museum-level pair, complete with bocage and original matching bases.

fig 3. A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops.
fig 3. Derby Pair of Musician Candlesticks, Patch-mark Period, C. 1765–1770

Dimensions:

Girl (guitar): 823 g; height 20.5 cm; width 17 cm; depth 10 cm

Piper: 849 g; height 20 cm; width 17 cm; depth 10 cm

Condition:

Girl: some flowers chipped; otherwise excellent, the mandolin intact, the lamb intact, and the candlestick preserved on its original base.

fig 4. A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops.
fig 4. Derby Pair of Musician Candlesticks, Patch-mark Period, C. 1765–1770

Piper: loss to the central feather on the hat; some flowers chipped; spikes on the dog’s collar chipped; candlestick on its original base; otherwise in excellent antique condition.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.

Height
20.5cm (8.07")
Width
17cm (6.69")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Date of Manufacture

Ritas Bazaar has dated these Derby Porcelain Musician Candlesticks to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1185025
Ritas Bazaar
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2025
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Ritas Bazaar Profile Page

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A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops.
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Archive I A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops.

Derby Pair of Musician Candlesticks, Patch-Mark Period, c. 1765–1770

Archive II A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops. View II
Archive III A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops. View III
Archive IV A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops. View IV
Archive V A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops. View V
Archive VI A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops. View VI
Archive VII A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops. View IX
Archive X A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops. View X
Archive XI A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops. View XI
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Telephone 07434 626011
Location
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
Verified Since Nov 2025
Items For Sale 216
Items Sold 36
Ritas Bazaar
Verified Since Nov 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Verified
Nov 2025
For Sale
216
Sold
36
A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops.
Derby Pair of Musician Candlesticks, Patch-Mark Period, c. 1765–1770
Ref: SA1185025
A pair of 18th-century soft-paste Derby porcelain candlesticks depicting a male and female musician seated before leafy floral bocage backdrops.
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Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Eighteenth-century English figural candlesticks typically combine functional candle sconces with elaborate ceramic figures, often set against detailed floral backgrounds known as bocage. Produced by prominent manufactories such as Derby and Chelsea, these pieces reflect Rococo influences through asymmetrical scrollwork, naturalistic elements, and hand-painted enamel decoration.

Early English manufacturers utilised soft-paste porcelain, a mixture of white clay and powdered glass or frit, fired at lower temperatures than hard-paste porcelain. The objects were press-moulded in sections, assembled by hand with slip, fired, and subsequently decorated using enamel pigments and burnished leaf gilding.

Authentic Derby pieces from the mid-to-late 18th century often feature characteristic dark, unglazed patches on the underside of the base, known as patch marks, left by kiln supports during firing. Additionally, soft-paste porcelain of this era exhibits translucent body characteristics under light, a warmer tone than hard-paste porcelain, and precise hand-painted enamelling.

Pairing antique porcelain candlesticks with minimalist furniture or placing them on a mantelpiece creates an intentional visual contrast between historical craftsmanship and contemporary lines. Displaying them as symmetrical accents on a sideboard or console table highlights their sculptural detail while complementing traditional or eclectic decorative themes.

Soft-paste porcelain should be dusted gently using a soft, dry artists paintbrush to clean intricate bocage leaves and flowers without causing damage. Avoid immersing pieces in water or using abrasive chemical cleaners, as moisture can penetrate hairline fractures and harsh chemicals can damage delicate enamel colours and gilding.
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