Adrian Alan
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A Fine English Late Regency Eighteen Light Chandelier by Perry & Co ( 1840 )
| Artists: |
PERRY & CO (c.1840-1850) |
| Medium: | glass crystal |
| Dimensions: | 168.00cm high ( 66.14 inches high) |
| Diameter | 92.00cm diameter ( 36.22 inches in diameter) |
| Description: |
William Perry is first recorded in partnership with William Collins at 227 Strand, and then he joined William Parker, as Parker and Perry, from 1803. William Parker was the leading chandelier maker of the late eighteenth century, supplying to all the most fashionable households, and as far a field as to the Emperor of China. Between 1783 and 1786 alone, Parker had supplied chandeliers costing £2,500 to the Prince of Wales for his London residence, Carlton House. Parker and Perry together were commissioned for a fifty six light Chandelier for the Crimson Drawing Room in Carlton House at a cost of one thousand guineas. It was completed in 1808 and was fourteen feet high and six feet six inches in diameter. Pyne, whose great work on the Royal Palaces was published in 1819, considered this great chandelier to be one of the finest in Europe. Many of Parker and Perry's chandeliers were removed at the dismantling of Carlton House, and placed in Buckingham Palace were they still remain. William Perry went on to establish himself at 72 New Bond Street in 1817 as Glass Manufacturer to the Prince Regent (possibly wresting the appointment from Parker), and in 1822 he was joined by his nephew. In 1833 the company became George Perry & Co. They were to become one of the most prolific manufacturers of their time, only competing with F. & C. Osler throughout the nineteenth century. Perry & Co. supplied the nine 'inverted parasol' chandeliers in the Music Room of the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, for the Prince Regent, at a cost of £4,290.12s. On the sale of the Royal Pavilion to the commissioners of Brighton in 1850 they were removed and taken to London. All but four, which remain in Buckingham Palace, were returned to the Pavilion in 1864. Perry & Co had a varied output of lighting fittings, all using the highest quality drops, and no imported imitations. They also seem to be virtually unique at this time, in their practice of using previously finished but unused components from stock in new chandeliers. The Victoria and Albert Museum holds a book of sketches of 'classic' Perry chandeliers from the 1860's and 1870's, which is frequently annotated with the names of those who had ordered them, and the dates of the orders. |
| Literature: |
Martine Mortimer, 'The English Glass Chandelier', Antique Collectors Club, 2000. Ralph Fastnedge, 'Regency Furniture', Country Life ltd., 1965 |
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