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For internal use only
On Display: House - Readbourne Parlor
Chandelier
Mark Fallon
1742
Description
This rare silver chandelier from Galway, Ireland has an engraved dedication indicating that it was presented to the Dominican monastery of enclosed nuns for the chapel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. O.P. (Order of Preachers). The community was founded in the 1640s and reestablished in 1683 with the return of Sister Mary Lynch and Sister Julian Nolan from exile in Bilbao, Spain. The dedication names two sisters, Bridget and Ann Lynch, who made their Profession on the same day in 1691. They were members of a prominent Catholic family in Galway; both later served as prioresses. This chandelier illuminated the “Slate Nunnery’s” chapel’s altar until about 1850 when they relocated to a new chapel in Galway on Taylor’s Hill. The chandelier was sold in 1893, but the religious community exists today. In 1934 it was acquired for Winterthur’s Readbourne Parlor. The chandelier’s lower ball holds the names of both sisters and their brother John Lynch. John Lynch served under James II at the battle of Aughrim in July 1691. With other Catholic or Jacobite "Wild Geese" he and his immediate family relocated to Bordeaux, France rather than remain in Ireland under William III of Orange. He became a tallow merchant. By 1733 John Lynch and his wife presented his sisters with a similarly engraved circular silver box to hold the communion host, commissioned from Galway goldsmith Mark Fallon. Three pairs of silver candlesticks, one also dated and marked by Fallon in 1729, are related. It is likely that the Lynch family commissioned Mark Fallon for this unmarked chandelier. His workshop may have added the engraved dedication in 1742.
Category
Metals
Creator/Artist/Maker
Mark Fallon (Probable maker)
Place of Origin
Galway; Republic of Ireland; Europe
Materials
- Silver
- Iron
- Silverplate on brass
Museum Object Number
1956.0519 A-GG
Credit Line/Donor
Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont
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Complete Details
Object Number
1956.0519 A-GG
Object Name
Chandelier
Category
Metals
Creator (Role)
Mark Fallon (Probable maker)
Place of Origin
Galway; Republic of Ireland; Europe
Origin Notes
The creation place cited is the modern political designation.
The Dominican convent/monestary of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is in Galway, Ireland. This chandelier is attributed to Galway goldsmith Mark Fallon who made other silver for these patrons.
Date
1742
Mark/Signature/Inscription/Label
Type: Inscription
Location: Stem, terminal ball
Inscription: "~ Pray for ye Soule of m\r Jn\o Lynch of Burdeux who Dyed ye 4 of 8\ber 1737 Pray also for his wife & posterity. ~/ For his Sis\rs ye R\d mo\rs Bridget & Ann Lynch who gaue this Branch to this Community of=/ Jesus Maria Joseph of Galway this 21st Day of Dec\ber 1742 ~" and "Pentinet ad Monast. Jesu et Mariae O.P. Galviae."
Mark/Signature: No
Subject(s)
- Religion associated
- Jacobite
Materials
- Silver
- Iron
- Silverplate on brass
Techniques
- Cast
- Wrought
- Drawn
Dimensions (inches)
23.5 (H) x 22 (Diam)
Dimensions (centimeters)
59.69 (H) x 55.88 (Diam)
Dimensions (oz)
149.5
Measurement Notes
Approximate dimensions of components:
Top Tier: A, silver only H: 9.5 inches; diam. 2.5 inches overall. B = H. 1.75 inch; diam. 2.5 inch; weight 88 grams. C = H. 2.625 inch; diam. 2.5 inch; weight 80 grams. D = H. 1.75 inch; diam. 3 inch; weight 133 grams. E = H. 3.5 inch; diam. 3.25 inch; weight 125 grams. F = H. 2.75 inch, diam. 3.375 inch; weight 143 grams. G = H. 5.5 inch, diam. 5.25 inch; weight 433 grams. H = diam. 1.75 inch; weight 170 grams. I = L. 1.0 inch; weight 14 grams. J = L. 7.5 inch, H. 3.5 inch, diam. 3.0 inch; weight 178 grams. K = L. 1.5 inch; weight 11 grams. L= L. 7.25 inch; weight 174 grams. M = weight 11 grams. N = L. 7.5 inch; weight 176 grams. O = weight 11 grams. P = L. 7.0 inch; weight 173 grams. Q = L. 1.5 inch, weight 13 grams.
Middle Tier: R = L. 10.5 inch; weight 231 grams. S = weight 10 grams. T = L. 10.0 inch; weight 247 grams. U = weight 12 grams. V = L. 9.5 inch; weight 248 grams. W = weight 11 grams (silverplated brass). X = weight 232 grams. Y = weight 11 grams.
Lower Tier: Z = L. 10.5 inch; weight 304 grams. AA = weight 11 grams. BB = L. 11.0 inch; weight 322 grams. CC = weight 10 grams. DD = L. 11.0 inch; weight 315 grams. EE = weight 11 grams. FF = L. 10 inch. [?] weight. GG = L. 1.5 inch, weight 14 grams.
The total troy weight given does not include the silver weight in component A (attached to the iron rod); it does include the lead solder joins and silver plated brass candle cup; it does include an estimate of 315 grams for component FF which was overlooked. Total Troy weight measured is 4,237 grams or 11.35 Troy pounds (136 oz 4.4 dwt. Troy). The chandelier overall weighs more than reported because the iron rod and suspension loop as well as the silver in"A" were excluded. [AWagner 2/2014]