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
$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
$28,125Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 10.5 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
1764, Set of Four George III Sterling Silver Candlesticks, English
By Ebenezer Coker
Located in North Miami, FL
Presenting a distinguished set of four George III sterling silver candlesticks, skillfully crafted in 1764 by the esteemed silversmith Ebenezer Coker. Each candlestick stands as a te...
Sterling Silver
$2,800 / set
H 12 in Dm 5 in
Pair George III Style Gilt Bronze, Cobalt Blue Glass, and Crystal Candlesticks
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This beautiful pair of Georgian style lustres are well proportioned, and of the finest quality.
Bronze
$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
Antique George III Sterling Silver Candlesticks by John Winter, 1781
By John Winter & Co 1
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique George III English sterling silver candlesticks; part of our Georgian ornamental silverware collection. These exceptional antique...
Silver, 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
Pair of Quality Antique George III Brass Candlesticks
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of quality antique George III brass candlesticks having quality brass baluster shaped stems with petal bases Pretty examples in lovely original...
Brass
Pair of Irish Geo III Style Crystal Candelabras, Beautifully Handcut
Located in Buchanan, MI
One pair of crystal four arm candelabras, center cut crystal obelisk surrounded by four tiered arms. Nicely cut and can be easily wired. Pristine condition, installation ready.
Crystal
$6,106
H 4.73 in W 7.49 in D 11.82 in
George III Period Pair of Antique Sterling Silver Chambersticks by E. Coker 1768
By Ebenezer Coker
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1768 by Ebenezer Coker, this handsome pair of Antique Sterling Silver Chambersticks, feature shaped gadroon borders, removable extinguishers, removable nozzle...
Sterling Silver
$3,481 / 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...
Pair of George III Neoclassical Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Each with deep brown patinated surface and in the form of a column from the composite order which combines the volutes of the ionic order with the foliate capital of the Corinthian; ...
Oak