Hello -- I'm new to this forum and to the world of Arts and Crafts collecting in general. I'd like to know if anyone out there can answer a question about Robert Jarvie -- did he sign all of his candlesticks? I have a pair that look identical to his work but I can find no signature anywhere and a scarcity of reference material, either printed or on the web. Thanks,

Welcome to the forum.

Can you post images of your sticks?

Robert Jarvie did not sign his stick when he first made them. His designs were be knocked-off by a great many people and in August of 1903 he advertized that he would begin signing each piece so that consumers could feel safe that what they purchased was in fact his.

As far as literature.... You are in luck. The following is a book that explains a great deal about Jarvie and his work.

The Jarvie Shop: The Candlesticks & Metalwork of Robert R. Jarvie (Paperback)
by Thomas K. Maher (Author), Stephen Gray (Editor)

Hope this helps,

Wow! Fast and incredibly helpful. I've attached a photo of the candlesticks. As you can see they look a great deal like his work, but never having handled or seen any of Jarvie's work before I have no idea. thanks

quote:

The Jarvie Shop: The Candlesticks & Metalwork of Robert R. Jarvie

Thanks Fred.

I've added that one to the bookstore.
The Jarvie Shop: The Candlesticks & Metalwork of Robert R. Jarvie

That is a wonderful form on your sticks. Jarvie made a similar shape that he called his IOTA candlestick. The sticks were named after the greek alphabet. Can you post close images of the bottom of one of your sticks? It may help us identify if they are by Jarvie.

hope this helps

The base is not consistant with the Iota Jarvie base I have seen. I appears that your stick is weighted with lead on the shaft. Can you tell if there is a hole all the way through to the candle receiver? That could be an indication that they were once made into lamp bases. A Google search of "Jarvie Iota" will direct you to an example sold by Daltons. They have a great picture of the signed base. Note that there is no rim along the bottom edge of the base like yours. The stem on your sticks are a bit thicker than the authentic Iota sticks I have seen. All in all your candle sticks are wonderful and beautiful... no matter who made them.

Quite right. These are quite different under the base. There is no egress through the shaft to the tulip top. They are quite hefty, but I'm not sure if it's lead through the shaft -- doesn't seem soft enough. At the risk of offending any of the rules on this board (of which I've just joined), what would such a pair of candlesticks be worth? I've just begun on this journey of Arts and Crafts design, have ordered the book on Jarvie (having never heard of him before!) and can't find him listed in any of the Kovels or Warmans books I have. Thanks

A Google search will take you to a number of places that sell reproductions of Jarvie candlesticks. The Iota model is one of the more desirable. A sellers on eBay are currently offering these reproductions at $450 for each candlestick. You might check there from time to time,

Original Jarvie work comes up at auctions from time to time. A few of the auction houses specializing in Arts & Crafts Movement have catalogs that often show at least one Jarvie piece. Prices range from reasonable to the absurd. The catalogs from these auction houses are invaluable to help identify what you have or look for and possible monetary value. Search for Treadway and Craftsman auction catalogs.

It is never recommended to polish most Arts & Crafts Movement metal. A patina was often part of the manufacturing finish and removal of any of this finish will substantialy reduce the value of the item to the collector.

Good luck. And keep checking in with us. This forum is filled with information and advice.