W. A. S. Benson – Pair of Arts & Crafts Brass and Copper Candlesticks II

These Arts & Crafts brass and copper candlesticks were designed and produced by W. A. S. Benson around 1900. The pair represents a refined variation within his domestic metalwork, distinguished by smaller diameter drip trays that subtly alter the balance of proportion and light. Benson’s work exemplified the Arts & Crafts movement (1880 – 1910) in its emphasis on structural clarity and truthful material expression.

Each candlestick is constructed with a stepped square brass base rising through a faceted copper stem to a narrow brass socket. The reduced tray size draws the eye upward, emphasising the verticality of the stem and giving the form a more architectural silhouette. This design economy reflects Benson’s understanding of geometry as both aesthetic and functional.

Marketed through Liberty & Co. and his own London showroom, Benson’s metalwork unified industrial precision with a handcrafted finish. The present pair retains its original surface, exhibiting the natural patina and mild tonal shifts characteristic of age and use.