Details
Each comprising a baluster vase surmounted by a trumpet vase joined with ormolu mounts; the vases decorated in typical Imari coloured enamels and gilt with lobed panels containing alternating scenes of a women seated next to a writing box and cat, and a woman looking out from an interior to a cockerel and hen, the shoulders with lobed panels containing karashishi, flowers and butterflies bordered by stylised flowers and foliage, the trumpet vases similarly decorated; the elaborate mounts with two handles modelled as a mermaid and merman on scrolling rocaille, each vase on circular base supported by acanthus-leaves, rocaille and C-scrolls
Each 3914 in. (99.5 cm.) high
Provenance
Private Collection, Rome.
With Verdini, Rome, from whom acquired by the present owner.
Special notice
This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.
Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.
Brought to you by
Amelia WalkerDirector, Specialist Head of Private & Iconic Collections
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

Lot Essay

The fashion for mounting Chinese and Japanese porcelain in ormolu mounts reached its zenith under the Parisian marchands-merciers of the mid-18th century, as their the floral, scrolling porcelain complimented the curves and scrolls of the rococo style. Revived from the mid-19th century, grandiose torchères and vases were also fashionable with America's early captains of industry and 'Robber Barons', who lavishly furnished their palatial residences in the French taste. A large pair of ormolu-mounted Imari ‘candelabra’ are illustrated in The Great Room at Lynnwood Hall, the Philadelphia residence of P.A.B. Widener (M. C. Kathrens, American Splendor: The Residential Architecture of Horace Trumbauer, New York, 2002, p. 66). Compare also a pair of candelabra from Lambton Castle, County Durham, sold Christie’s, London, 8 July 2010, lot 182 (£151,250). A pair of torchères, with slender vases sitting atop baluster vases en suite, and signed by Maison Giroux was sold at Christie’s, London, 22 March 2001, lot 215.

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