V. Rare Early P&O Silver Candlestick C.1859 - B

A superb and historically significant early P&O silver-plated ship’s candlestick by Elkington & Co, beautifully proportioned and displaying the distinctive engraved P&O rising-sun emblem to its substantial circular base.

The underside carries a series of Elkington & Co electroplate marks, including the company’s crowned E&Co trademark. Elkington was one of the most important names in British silverware and a pioneer of the commercial electroplating process during the Victorian period. Unlike conventional silver plate, Elkington pieces were often marked with the company’s own date-code system, allowing many examples to be dated with unusual accuracy.

The diamond-shaped date punch on these candlesticks appears to contain the letter “U”, which, if confirmed against the Elkington date sequence, indicates a manufacture date of circa 1859. This would place the pair in the very early years of P&O’s development and make them approximately 167 years old.

The Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company received its Royal Charter in 1840 and became one of Britain’s most celebrated shipping companies, carrying passengers, mail and cargo across an expanding network linking Britain with the Mediterranean, India, the Far East and Australia.

With their elegant Victorian form, quality Elkington manufacture and unmistakable P&O provenance, these candlesticks are exceptional survivors from the formative years of international steamship travel. A particularly desirable piece for collectors of P&O, ocean-liner, maritime and Victorian shipping memorabilia.

Condition: This candlestick displays noticeable age-related wear and thinning to the silver-plated finish, particularly across the base, with areas of the warmer base metal visible beneath. There are also light surface scratches, marks and areas of tarnishing consistent with its considerable age and historic use. The engraved P&O crest remains clearly visible and well defined. Please refer closely to the photographs, which form an important part of the condition description.