Frank M Whiting Puzzle

Help!

A gorgeous pair of Frank Whiting sterling candlesticks.

Pretty sure they date to around 1922 as they have my great grandmothers initials on them and that was the year she was married.

However, I feel like something is missing. Hole is too big to hold a taper. My mother had obviously jury rigged something at one time, as candle wax residue in there.

But the top seems unfinished. Would it have had an insert for a shade? a compote?

Desperately looking for a photo of them in a so I can see how they were meant to be and use them.

Clear "whiting whiskers" as well as "loaded base", "sterling" and "101 - 17" on the bottom of each.

Kudos to anyone who can figure this out!

 

Is the inside of the cup threaded or smooth?

 

They are, as already alluded to, most likely threaded (F.M. Whiting's threads typically start a bit into the well) - possible that sterling bobeches have gone missing (not to imply that all silver bobeche inserts are threaded), but they may have originally had glass inserts like compotes or vases, theirs were often made by Cambridge...

~Cheryl

 

New word - "bobeches" Thank you.

 

I learn so many new vocab words here. I have some bobeches to sell but didn't know the term. I also pick up good words to use to describe correctly what I sell online. Not many "high falutin" words in my neck of the woods.

 

Not all candles are the size they are today, 1" diameter candles were certainly around in the 20's for sure, 'cause I've got a few boxes!
Yes I use them in my floor-standing wrought iron torchière.

 

Hi all - thanks for your input - the inside of the cups is smooth - not threaded.
Literally have spent 2 days scouring the internet and books and can't find similar pair.

 

I can no longer hold off from asking - "whiskers"? I can't see much of the tiny detail on your pics of the marking. Does it really say that?

 

That's what I figured - never heard the 'whiskers' term before though...

~Cheryl

 

If it's not threaded, then a sterling bobeche or candle cup that just pushed in was likely...

~Cheryl

 

Well I interpreted the way "whiting whiskers" and "loaded base" (which is visible as quoted) the same - not someone's nickname for mark

 

Here is closeup of chased border.

 

It's smooth

 

Was wondering, possibly they might have had a frame to hold a taper and a pierced shade???

But I haven't seen any type of insert that would fit and be stable for tapers (with or without shade) so i've just ordered some 1.5" x 9" high pillar candles to use. I think these will fit securely and there is an extended rim to catch any drips.

But do so wish I could find a photo of another pair or find them in an old catalog to see exactly what the intent was.

Doesn't seem to be any reference sources for Frank M. Whiting production/styles/numbering. (I think Wintherthur might have some resources but that's a complicated process) If anyone has any other ideas on how I might identify them, I surely would be appreciative.

Cheers!!

 

For future reference, you would get better help and research details to pursue if you post larger images of marks in particular and other construction details you refer to in your text. For instance, you mention a number of 101-17 above, but in the small image the only number I see is 3 digits starting with 4. The collage method of combining detail images when posted at this size is very difficult for us to use. Many members use phones to access the system and you may be missing their assistance. Even on my large desktop monitor it's tough.

As for your question about another type of insert to hold a candle and shade, I have a pair of short Gorham sticks such as you describe - but later than yours, probably early 70's. Pierced gallery style inserts for the candles and glass, but they are threaded.

 

Given the supportive rim, would guess they originally had pierced inserts similar to those shown below, intended to hold a glass hurricane shade.



https://www.ebth.com/items/8963674-sterling-silver-bobeches


~Cheryl

 

Hi - no - with those 'pegs', they won't fit in.

 

Okay, then - if they don't take a threaded insert, and they don't take a smooth-sided insert, and without any more images, like the interior of the cup, or an actual size offered (if you bought 1.5" dia. candles, are you saying that's the size of the cup?), then I'm out of the game - clearly you have an anomalous candle-cup that doesn't hold a standard taper or any type of insert. Good luck in any further research, and I'm sure the candles you've chosen will look quite nice - family pieces are always special...

-Cheryl