ATTRIBUTED TO MATTHEW BOULTON & JOHN FOTHERGILL, CIRCA 1772
Important information about this lot
Price Realised USD 27,720
Estimate
USD 7,000 - USD 10,000
Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
Closed: 19 Apr 2023
Loading details
A GEORGE III ORMOLU-MOUNTED BLUE JOHN CANDLE VASE
ATTRIBUTED TO MATTHEW BOULTON & JOHN FOTHERGILL, CIRCA 1772
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).
Related Articles
Sorry, we are unable to display this content. Please check your connection.
You have agreed to be bound by the Conditions of Sale and if your bid is successful, you are legally obliged to pay for the lot you have won. The purchase price for a successful bid will be the sum of your final bid plus a buyer’s premium, any applicable taxes and any artist resale royalty, exclusive of shipping-related expenses.
Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
Overall in good order and appearance, ready to place. The ormolu with some minor surface scratches, casting flaws, verdigris and rubbing, as to be expected. The knop on the vase cover is possibly a later replacement. The ormolu ribbons wrapping around the swags and ram's masks were originally longer according to the Boulton and Fothergill design, and are partially lacking, one more so than the other. But this is not distracting or readily noticeable. The blue john a beautiful color with scattered small well-disguised repairs, the largest one approximately 1 inch by 3/4 in. and located beneath a handle. One side with a light vertical surface scratch across the length. Overall a lovely design and beautiful piece.
Full dimensions are as follows: 71⁄2 in. high with candle disguised inside 83⁄4 in. high with candle holder outside 5 in. wide 21⁄2 in. square base
Cost calculator
Lot 348Sale 21804
ATTRIBUTED TO MATTHEW BOULTON & JOHN FOTHERGILL, CIRCA 1772A GEORGE III ORMOLU-MOUNTED BLUE JOHN CANDLE VASEEstimate: USD 7,000 - 10,000
Enter your bid amount for an estimated cost
Bid amount
Please enter numbers onlyAmount must be higher than the starting bidAmount must be higher than the current bid