Designer: Paul R. Evans II aka Paul Evans (1931-1987) and Phillip Lloyd Powell (1919 – 2008)

Item: Pair of Candlesticks

Manufactured by: Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell

Country of origin: United States

Year made: 1956-57

Materials: Walnut and pewter

Dimensions: 13 ¼” x 3” and 13 ½” x 3”

Condition: Overall very good, with wear from honest use.  The top of the each bobeche has burn marks and a small amount burn loss of wood from candle flames, as shown.  All pewter elements are present.  See photos.

Description: Here is an important and rare pair of candlesticks from the collaboration of designs by Paul Evans and his mentor Phillip Lloyd Powell. Evans and Powell produced a series of handmade tabletop objects they manufactured together in the 1950s in New Hope, Pennsylvania, to include salt and pepper shakers, platters, trays, vases, containers, candlesticks, boxes and bookends; all in Walnut wood with decorative pewter elements.  These are some of the earlier works by Evans and were sold from their showroom Designers, Inc. in New Hope.  We have occasionally seen other examples of this design, but they often are missing the pewter weights with the makers marks on the bottoms. One candlestick is about a quarter of an inch taller than the other, as these were handmade objects.

Each candlestick retains its original pewter weight with the mark Designers Inc. * Paul Evans on the underside. The design and manufacturing collaboration of Evans and Powell only lasted about ten years from 1954 to 1964.  In 1964 Powell went back to working solo and producing only a small number of pieces annually.  While Evans moved to New York and established a large studio with many assistants.  Evans also became the design director for Directional Furniture company and his designs for this commercial firm established his reputation. 

References: Head, Jeffrey,Paul Evans: Designer & Sculptor, Schiffer (2012) pg.18.

Provenance: Rago modern auction 2013; then private collection.