The reversible candle nozzle and finial opening to a gilt-copper interior lining fixed with a chased nut, a guilloche-patterned rim crowns the figured blue john body, flanked by scrolled handles resting on rams' heads draped with oak leaf and ribbon swags and pendants, the cradle is chased with an acanthus motif, the stem raised on a two-step base
8³⁄₄ in. (22.2 cm.) high, 5 in. (12.7 cm.) wide, 3 in. (7.6 cm.) deep

N. Goodison, Ormolu: The work of Matthew Boulton, London, 1974, figs. 141, 143 (related example).
N. Goodison, Matthew Boulton: ORMOLU, London, 2002, figs. 277 and 278 (nearly identical example and sketch).

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Lot Essay

This beautiful candle-vase is highly ornamental and designed to show off the carefully selected figured blue john body. It almost precisely follows a design by Matthew Boulton (1728-1809) and John Fothergill (1730- c.1782) published in their Pattern Book No. 1 (p. 171, fig. h) and reproduced in Sir Nicholas Goodison's Matthew Boulton: ORMOLU (p. 278, fig, 178).

A nearly identical pair of candle-vases sold at Canterbury Auction Galleries, 7 June 2020, lot 630 (£40,000), and another at Sotheby's, Paris, 23 June 2021, lot 142 (37,000 EUR).