Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is an original 19th century Victorian pewter candlestick, which has a very nice saucer holder. This design is quite useful, as it serves as a base for the candle, and the central portion has a “bell” shaped handle made partially of brass. This allows the candlestick portion to be easily removed, leaving the heavy base behind, which was not needed when walking around. It is approximately 6 3/4 inches across, and about 2 1/4 inches tall.
The inside of the saucer shaped base is marked:
H.M.S. CAESAR
H.M.S. Caesar was a 2nd Rate Man-o-War of gun guns, built in 1853 and was eventually sold off by the Royal Navy in 1870. The next H.M.S. Caesar was a full Battleship of 14,900 tonnes launched in Portsmouth in 1896, which saw service in WW1 and was sold off in 1921.
In nice matured condition this ;candlestick may have served on the earlier vessel but may well have seen service on the second instead, though that is unlikely. Interestingly we have had two pewter tankards also named to HMS CAESAR in the past, rather indicating that some enterprising sailor saw an opportunity to make money once the ship went out of service.
Another great bit of Royal Naval history.