Each with a separate lid, above a pierced Vitruvian wave frieze issuing leaves and berries, with Bacchic frieze depicting classical maidens holding blossoming garlands, on a pedestal base with the mask of Mercury to the front side, on a leaf and berry stepped base, on bun feet
18 in. (46 cm.) high, 7 in. (18 cm.) wide

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Lot Essay

Other examples of this stylish model of brûle parfum, also with masks of Mercury and with bases in rouge griotte marble, include a pair in the British Royal Collection, Buckingham Palace (illustrated in G. de Bellaigue et al., Buckingham Palace, London, 1968, p. 56), and a pair at Pavlovsk Palace, St. Petersburg (illustrated in A. Kuchumov, Pavlovsk Palace and Park, Leningrad, 1975, figs. 200-1). As this model evidently found favor with distinguished foreign clients, it is possible that it might have originated with a marchand mercier such as Dominique Daguerre or Martin-Eloi Lignereux, both of whom counted the Prince Regent, later George IV, as one of their most important clients.

A further pair of this model was sold anonymously, Sotheby's, New York, 21 May 1988, lot 68.