Robert Jarvie founded The Jarvie Shop in his Chicago home in 1900. He started making Colonial Revival candlesticks before moving into Art Nouveau inspired forms, simplifying the designs down to their essence. These candlesticks are now considered one of the hallmark forms of the Arts & Crafts Movement. His earliest candlesticks were unmarked but due to copycat competitors, he began signing all of his work. It is important for collectors to know not all Jarvie is signed, but not all similar looking candlesticks are Jarvie! In addition to candlesticks, the firm produced a wide range of household objects including bookends, humidors, boxes and trays. He also worked in hammered silver, much of which was done in the “Prairie School” style in collaboration with the designer George Elmslie. Robert Jarvie was active making candlesticks from 1905 to 1912, finally closing the shop in 1917.
