THE MOUNTS MID-19TH CENTURY, THE BLUE JOHN PROBABLY REGENCY
Important information about this lot
Price Realised GBP 17,500
Estimate
GBP 8,000 - GBP 12,000
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: 10 Feb 2022
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A PAIR OF FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED BLUE JOHN VASES
THE MOUNTS MID-19TH CENTURY, THE BLUE JOHN PROBABLY REGENCY
This pair of vases demonstrates the French taste for blue john throughout the 19th century. Parisian marchands-merciers had been importing blue john, mined in Castleton, Derbyshire, as early as 1765, before even the celebrated English craftsman Matthew Boulton had begun to purchase and use large quantities of the mineral. From the late 18th century blue john was imported to France and mounted with French ormolu. The waisted body of the blue john on the present lot suggests that it was not only mined but also finished in England in the early 19th century. It is unclear whether the present lot was mounted at this date as the present French mounts date from the mid-19th century. The late 18th century model after which these mounts are cast continued to be much admired during the 19th century as demonstrated by a drawing of one such vase by Emmanuel Alfred Beurdeley, now in the Musée des Arts décoratifs, Paris (inv. CD/6499/54).
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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.
This pair of blue john vases is in good overall condition. With inevitable marks, scratches and dents consistent with age and use. The ormolu with some rubbing and tarnishing, would benefit from a light cleaning if desirable. The blue john to both vases with some cracks and associated infill repair. The upper section of blue john and ormolu mount to one vase slightly loose. One vase slightly wonky.
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Lot 163Sale 21054
THE MOUNTS MID-19TH CENTURY, THE BLUE JOHN PROBABLY REGENCYA PAIR OF FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED BLUE JOHN VASESEstimate: GBP 8,000 - 12,000
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