Stand 1785 - 1786

This silver stand was created by John Wakelin, a London silversmith, at the end of the 18th century. The simple and elegant design speaks volumes about the social and cultural values of its time. In the late 1700s, silver objects like this were more than just functional items. They were symbols of status and refinement. The neoclassical style, evident in the stand's clean lines and beaded edges, reflected a taste for classical antiquity, an interest cultivated by elite schools and academies of the time. The engraved monogram at the center would have signified a family's identity and social standing. Who were they? The records of London's guilds and livery companies might tell us more about the circles in which Wakelin moved, and who his customers were. Such details are crucial for understanding the stand not just as an object of beauty, but as a document of social and economic life.