There is a maker's mark 'ISH' on the candelabrum, indicating that it was made by John S. Hunt, London, in 1838–1839.

Three glass bowls can replace the sconces for use as an epergne, and a glass and silver bowl can replace the figure of Aesculapius for use as a centrepiece.

Aesculapius (Asclepius in Greek) was the god of medicine and healing in ancient Greek and Roman religions.

Epergnes were traditionally used to hold any type of finger food or dessert. They could also be used to hold candles, flowers or ornaments.

A hallmark is an official mark or series of marks struck on items made of precious metals such as silver. Hallmarks are a guarantee of certain purity or finness of the metal as determined by formal metal (assay) testing.

Hallmarks are often confused with ‘trademarks’ or ‘maker’s mark’ which distinguish a particular manufacturer’s products from others.

The word ‘candelabrum’ originated in the early 19^th century and stems from the Latin word ‘candela’ for candle.