Two lovely examples of mid-19th Century mold blown glass candlesticks, probably made in Sandwich; the first larger, approx. 10-1/4"H with the base 3-3/4" x 3-3/4" square, the second smaller 10"H with the base 3-1/2" x 3-1/2", in semi-opaque "clambroth" color on the bottom and with a semi-opaque French blue at the top. The larger candlestick was probably made earlier than the other, and is slightly different in color and scale; it also has a single square for the base while the smaller has a double graduated square base.
Production of the dolphin and related types began about 1840 and continued for approximately thirty-five or forty years. In their making, the molten glass was cast in carefully cut two-piece iron molds and, where contrasting colours of glass were used for base and top, there must have been separate molds for these parts. Study of such examples shows that the top and base were fused together while the glass was still hot enough to be plastic.
700/900
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