Of slender ovoid vase form with domed tops and ball finials, the bodies painted in terracotta and heightened in white with scenes taken from antiquity below an anthemion border, on elongated turned socles terminating in square plinths bases, losses to the painted decoration
17¹⁄₂ in. (44.5 cm.) high; 7 in. (18 cm.) diameter

Herbert Hall Mulliner (1861-1924), Clifton Court, Rugby and Albany, London,
by descent to his daughter Mary Evelyn Muriel Saville.
Anonymous sale; Bonhams, London, 21 November 2006, lot 71, where acquired by the present owner.

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Lot Essay

The decorative scheme of these urns reflects the height of fashion in England in the 1760’s and 1770s, when collectors and artisans were transfixed and inspired by the ‘Etruscan’ style -- a style often linked to Henry Clay, 'Japanner in Ordinary to His Majesty and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales’ who is widely celebrated for his innovation of japanning techniques. This style of japanned decoration can be observed in a table by Clay among the contents of the Etruscan Dressing Room at Osterley listed in an inventory of 1782, described as ’A Pembroke table richly Japanned by Clay' (see Maurice Tomlin ‘Catalogue of Adam period Furniture’, 1982, p. 84, cat.no.J/5, illus.). These urns beautifully illustrate the decorative tastes of 18th century Britain while exemplifying the lauded oeuvre of Clay.