Late 18th-century glassmaker William Parker elevated lighting to a beautiful art form. His stunning chandeliers and candelabras caught the attention of aristocrats and nobles, and he designed luxurious pieces for many royal houses. Consideration of detail and an elegant neoclassical style earned Parker recognition as one of the foremost glass cutters and manufacturers.
Parker established his glass business on Fleet Street in London around the year 1763. His first major attributable commission was for the Bath Assembly Rooms in Bath, England, in 1771. British architect John Wood the Younger designed the interiors in 1769. Upon their completion, Parker was asked to produce lighting for the spaces. His five chandeliers still hang in the ballroom of the historic site and are among the finest surviving examples of 18th-century chandeliers.
Parker’s exquisite work in the Bath Assembly Rooms brought him acclaim and prestige. In 1778, he was commissioned to create chandeliers for the Bath Guildhall as part of a rebuild by architect Thomas Baldwin. In 1782, he supplied lighting to William Cavendish, the 5th Duke of Devonshire, and, from 1783 to 1787, he worked on lighting for Carlton House, a Westminster mansion belonging to the Prince of Wales.
While Parker’s legacy was cemented by his celebrated chandeliers, he was also a pioneering inventor of scientific instruments. His Fleet Street business provided chemists with bell jars and lenses for cutting-edge experiments. In 1784, he sent a sizable burning lens device to the American Philosophical Society. The device and its heating powers were so impressive that Parker was voted in as a member of the society in the following year.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of antique William Parker lighting.
A Pair Of George Iii Cut Glass Candelabra By William Parker
By William Parker
Located in Steyning, West sussex
The square concave bases of urn form, mounted with diamond cut containers issuing four notch cut arms, two of scroll form supporting drip pans and candle save all's, a further two mo...
Cut Glass
$2,685 / set
H 12 in Dm 5.25 in
Pair of Sheffield George III Sterling Silver Candlesticks, English, circa 1800
By John Green, Roberts, Mosley & Co.
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of George III sterling silver candlesticks with weighted bases made by I G & CO., John Green, Roberts, Mosley & Co. Fully hallmarked on the bases and the bobeche. England, lat...
Sterling Silver
$401Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 9.65 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
Pair of Antique George III Brass Candlesticks
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique George lII brass candlesticks having a shaped column raised on a round stepped base Measures: H 24.5cm W 11cm D 11cm Date 1810.
Brass
$2,950 / set
H 14 in Dm 5 in
Fine Pair Antique English "Old Sheffield Plate" Geo. III 2-Light Candelabra
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Fine quality antique English "Old Sheffield Plate" George III thread border, twisted arm 2 light candelabra. Handsome "Adam" style urn central motif and looping arms similar to thos...
Sheffield Plate
$3,607 / set
H 16.54 in W 13.59 in D 5.12 in
Pair of George III Candelabra in Old Sheffield Plate, England, circa 1790
Located in Torino, IT
An elegant pair of antique candelabra in Old Sheffield plate with detachable arms and sconces. Very pleasing plain classical style with restrained decorative features, circa 1790. Me...
$5,431
H 9.25 in W 4.25 in D 2.5 in
George III Pair of Ormolu and Marble Chambers Pattern Griffin Candlesticks
By Sir William Chambers
Located in London, GB
An extremely fine pair of George III ormolu and marble chambers pattern griffin candlesticks. In the famous William Chambers pattern. Sir William ...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
$22,463Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 10.5 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
1763 Pair of George III Sterling Silver Candlesticks by William Cafe, English
By William Cafe
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing an exceptional pair of George III sterling silver candlesticks, meticulously created in 1763 by the skilled silversmith William Café. These candlesticks stand as a testam...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Napolean III Patinated Bronze Figural Candelabra
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Very well cast models of classical maidens standing on decorated stepped rectangular black marble bases, the upper base mounted with an Etruscan style frieze; the bases have gilt bro...
Bronze
George III Carved Giltwood Torchiere
Located in Savannah, GA
Handsome George III giltwood pedestal candle stand featuring a fluted tapered column with highly carved base including acanthus leaves and shells and a round wooden dish top measurin...
Giltwood
Pair of George III Cut Glass Girandoles
Located in Huntington, NY
A pair of George III cut glass Girandoles.
Brass
$17,840
H 22.05 in W 17.72 in D 7.88 in
George III Antique Sterling Silver Pair of Candelabra from Sheffield, 1807-1808
By John Roberts & Co
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1807 & 1808 by John Roberts & Co., this striking, George III, pair of Antique Sterling Silver Candelabra,...
Sterling Silver
$450 / set
H 11.5 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
George III Style Brass Candlesticks by Artisan-Craftsmen, 20th Century
By Artisan-Craftsmen, Inc.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of George III neoclassical style brass candlesticks. Stepped bases and columnar shafts peened through the bases. Size: H 11.5" x 4.5" x 4.5".
Brass
$5,877
H 12.41 in W 10.63 in D 5.32 in
George III Period 19th Century Pair of Antique Sterling Silver Candlesticks
By John Roberts & Co
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1807 by John Roberts & Co, this attractive pair of George III, Antique Sterling Silver Candlesticks, have tapering columns, round bases, and are decorated ...
Sterling Silver