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ID #SA1238631
FOR SALE
£1,250
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A Rare George III Miniature Sterling Silver Folding Taperstick / Wax Jack by John Reilly, London, 1809, Inscribed for Christmas 1810
For sale by Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €1,463     $1,588
£1,250
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2025
Browse dealers 213 items
  • About Us
    Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
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Id #SA1238631
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A Rare George III Miniature Sterling Silver Folding Taperstick / Wax Jack by John Reilly, London, 1809, Inscribed for Christmas 1810

19th century
Description

A Rare George III Miniature Sterling Silver Folding Taperstick / Wax Jack by John Reilly, London, 1809, Inscribed for Christmas 1810

Maker: John Reilly (specialist London smallworker)

Date / Assay Office: London hallmarks for 1809 (Date letter 'O')

Material: Sterling Silver

Dimensions:

Height: 3.5 cm (when upright)

Width / Base Diameter: 4 cm

Weight: 18 grams

Marks & Hallmarks: Clear partial strikes on the nozzle and base, including the IR maker's mark for John Reilly and the lion passant sterling standard mark.

Inscription / Provenance: Exquisitely script-engraved on the underside with the historical presentation text: "December, 25th, 1810".

A fine and exceptionally scarce Regency period miniature folding taperstick designed for desk or travel use. The piece features a circular stepped base with reeded borders and an integral ring handle. It incorporates an ingenious hinged mechanical joint within the square-section stem, allowing the nozzle and upper column to pivot and fold completely flat against the base. Preserved in great condition with crisp detailing, clear hallmarks, and a documented Christmas 1810 presentation date.

Condition: Very good

Provenance: The G.S. May Esquire Private Collection, London

Physical Dimensions
Height
3.5cm (1.38")
Width
4cm (1.57")
Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this George III Silver Taperstick to the 1800s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1238631
Description
A Rare George III Miniature Sterling Silver Folding Taperstick / Wax Jack by John Reilly, London, 1809, Inscribed for Christmas 1810

Maker: John Reilly (specialist London smallworker)

Date / Assay Office: London hallmarks for 1809 (Date letter 'O')

fig 1. A small George III sterling silver taperstick featuring a flared sconce, a square central collar, a side ring handle, and a moulded circular base.
fig 1. A Rare George III Miniature Sterling Silver Folding Taperstick / Wax Jack by John Reilly, London, 1809, Inscribed for Christmas 1810

Material: Sterling Silver

Dimensions:

Height: 3.5 cm (when upright)

Width / Base Diameter: 4 cm

Weight: 18 grams

“
Marks & Hallmarks: Clear partial strikes on the nozzle and base, including the IR maker's mark for John Reilly and the lion passant sterling standard mark.
Sandbanks Antiques
fig 2. A small George III sterling silver taperstick featuring a flared sconce, a square central collar, a side ring handle, and a moulded circular base.
fig 2. A Rare George III Miniature Sterling Silver Folding Taperstick / Wax Jack by John Reilly, London, 1809, Inscribed for Christmas 1810

Inscription / Provenance: Exquisitely script-engraved on the underside with the historical presentation text: "December, 25th, 1810".

A fine and exceptionally scarce Regency period miniature folding taperstick designed for desk or travel use. The piece features a circular stepped base with reeded borders and an integral ring handle. It incorporates an ingenious hinged mechanical joint within the square-section stem, allowing the nozzle and upper column to pivot and fold completely flat against the base. Preserved in great condition with crisp detailing, clear hallmarks, and a documented Christmas 1810 presentation date.

Condition: Very good

Provenance: The G.S. May Esquire Private Collection, London

Height
3.5cm (1.38")
Width
4cm (1.57")
Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this George III Silver Taperstick to the 1800s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1238631
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page

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A small George III sterling silver taperstick featuring a flared sconce, a square central collar, a side ring handle, and a moulded circular base.
1 / 9
Archive I A small George III sterling silver taperstick featuring a flared sconce, a square central collar, a side ring handle, and a moulded circular base.

A Rare George III Miniature Sterling Silver Folding Taperstick / Wax Jack by John Reilly, London, 1809, Inscribed for Christmas 1810

Archive II A small George III sterling silver taperstick featuring a flared sconce, a square central collar, a side ring handle, and a moulded circular base. View II
Archive III A small George III sterling silver taperstick featuring a flared sconce, a square central collar, a side ring handle, and a moulded circular base. View III
Archive IV A small George III sterling silver taperstick featuring a flared sconce, a square central collar, a side ring handle, and a moulded circular base. View IV
Archive V A small George III sterling silver taperstick featuring a flared sconce, a square central collar, a side ring handle, and a moulded circular base. View V
Archive VI A small George III sterling silver taperstick featuring a flared sconce, a square central collar, a side ring handle, and a moulded circular base. View VI
Archive VII A small George III sterling silver taperstick featuring a flared sconce, a square central collar, a side ring handle, and a moulded circular base. View VII
Archive VIII A small George III sterling silver taperstick featuring a flared sconce, a square central collar, a side ring handle, and a moulded circular base. View VIII
Archive IX A small George III sterling silver taperstick featuring a flared sconce, a square central collar, a side ring handle, and a moulded circular base. View IX
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Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques
Telephone 07889 139677
Location
Sandbanks
Poole
Dorset
United Kingdom

By appointment only in Poole or London.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified Since Jan 2025
Items For Sale 213
Items Sold 87
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom, , By appointment only in Poole or London.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified
Jan 2025
For Sale
213
Sold
87
A small George III sterling silver taperstick featuring a flared sconce, a square central collar, a side ring handle, and a moulded circular base.
A Rare George III Miniature Sterling Silver Folding Taperstick / Wax Jack by John Reilly, London, 1809, Inscribed for Christmas 1810
Ref: SA1238631
A small George III sterling silver taperstick featuring a flared sconce, a square central collar, a side ring handle, and a moulded circular base.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectCandlesticks
  • Period19th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialSterling Silver
  • ColourSilver
  • MotifsFlared sconce, Ring handle, Moulded circular base, Square collar
  • SizeH 3.5 cm (1 in) x W 4 cm (2 in)

FAQs

A taperstick is a miniature form of candlestick produced primarily in the 18th and early 19th centuries to hold thin wax tapers. These tapers were lit to melt wax for sealing letters and documents on a writing desk.

High-quality 19th-century tapersticks were predominantly crafted from sterling silver, Sheffield plate, or brass. Silver examples bear official assay marks indicating the purity, city of origin, maker, and year of manufacture.

Authentic George III sterling silver features a full set of British hallmarks, including the lion passant mark for purity, a city mark such as the leopards head for London, a date letter, a makers mark, and the monarch duty mark depicting King George III.

A silver taperstick can be displayed on a study desk, bookshelf, or mantelpiece as a decorative accent. It pairs effectively with vintage leather books, brass desktop items, and traditional stationery.

Antique sterling silver should be cleaned periodically using a gentle silver polish applied with a soft cloth to remove oxidisation. Avoid abrasive materials or harsh chemicals, and store items in low-humidity environments inside tarnish-resistant bags.
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