This allegorical vase 'perferated for essence', is illustrated in Messrs. Boulton and Fothergill's Pattern Books dating from around 1770 (see N. Goodison, Ormolu: The Work of Matthew Boulton, 1974, fig. 171 (h)). Produced as a vase and more commonly as a clock-case, the model was also occasionally fitted with candlearms (Goodison, op. cit, Appendix IV, 64). The 'Venus vase' was offered at Boulton and Fothergill's sales at Christie's and Ansell's in 1771 and 1778, where it was described in the sale catalogue of the latter as 'Venus and Cupid in or moulu, at the tomb of Adonis, of marble richly decorated'. A very similiar perfume-burner is illustrated in Goodison, op. cit, fig. 45. Another almost identical perfume-burner sold at Sotheby's London, 10 July 1987, lot 8, and a further example sold Christie's London, 17 November 1983, lot 6. A Venus clock with rotating dial sold Christie's London, 31 May 1956, lot 57, the Property of the Duke of Roxburghe. A related Venus clock with alterations to the urn sold Christie's London, 11 October 1990, lot 11.