Apter Fredericks Important English Furniture Vol VIII

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IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

265-267 Fulham Road, London SW3 6HY, United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7352 2188 Fax: +44 20 7376 5619 Email: antiques@apter-fredericks.com www.apter-fredericks.com


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IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

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52253

A George II Walnut Armchair A very attractive armchair with a carved and pierced back, scrolling arms and cabriole legs. The open scrolled top rail finely carved with drapery over an elaborate splat carved with scrolls and trellis motif. The serpentine arms similarly carved with scrolls. Raised upon cabriole legs carved with acanthus and terminating in scrolled feet. English Circa 1750 Width 26” 66cm Depth 27” 69cm Height 38” 97cm


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52299

A Regency Period Mahogany Plate Stand The circular plate stand has a spindle gallery and is unusual for having a gap on each side, rather than the more typical one, and the rather nice feature of brass cappings. Below, the stand is supported on four turned, reeded and tapering legs which are finer than usual and are united by a concave sided platform stretcher. English Circa 1800 Diameter 13½” 34.5cm Height 27¼” 69cm


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

52273

A Pair of Regency Gilt-Wood Wall Lights Nowadays these might easily be regarded as mere decoration

English Circa 1800

but this is a mistake. As highly decorative as they are, these wall

Width 14” 36cm

lights were made to be used to illuminate the home they were

Depth 8½” 21.5cm

made for and should continue to be used in that way. There is

Height 44” 112cm

something magical about a room lit with candle light and never more so than when the light is dancing across a gilded surface.

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51786

A Pair of Ormolu & White Marble Cassolettes by Matthew Boulton Matthew Boulton was a genius. He was at

English Circa 1775

the heart of late eighteenth century design

Height 9¾” 25cm

and industry and he created a product that any discerning gentleman or lady had to

PROVENANCE

have. Examples of his work would have been

The Edward Sarofim Collection

seen in just about every grand house in the

The Horace ‘Woody’ Brock Collection

country. Not least in royal palaces both here and in Russia.

REFERENCE

The design may be found in Pattern Book 1, Nowadays, his work is amongst the

p.171, which is illustrated in N. Goodison,

most highly collected and prized of any

Ormolu, The Work of Matthew Boulton,

eighteenth-century ornament. This pair

London, 1974, pl.163, fig. m.

of cassolettes are a documented example

N. Goodison, Matthew Boulton Ormolu,

and were previously in two important

London, 2002, p.305, pl.278

collections.

A related pair is illustrated in Goodison, op. cit., 1974, pl.141 and op. cit., 2002, pl. 279

The ovoid shaped white marble vases with ormolu mounts conform to designs

Amongst related vases with this handle

by Matthew Boulton and relate to other

pattern

known examples detailed below. The voluted

commissioned by Sir Edward Knatchbull

handles terminate in Bacchic ram-masks

(d.1779) for Mersham-le-Hatch, Kent sold by

and are festooned with laurel and hung with

Lord Brabourne at Christie's London, 19 11

ribbon-tied swags. The waisted fluted socle

1992, lot 4.

and square stepped base supported on a further waisted square socle in white marble with guilloche cast ormolu mounts.

are

a

pair

almost

certainly


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

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52075

A Benjamin Vulliamy Mantel Clock Made for William Beckford The clock's design was one of a series of 'lion'

producing exquisite ornaments for the

timepieces, with drum cases, flanked by

wealthiest connoisseurs in Britain; including

lions, on rectangular Ashford marble plinths

the Prince of Wales.

enriched with ormolu mounts. The clock is listed in one of Vulliamy's two surviving

WILLIAM BECKFORD ( 1759-1844)

work books housed at the Royal Horological

Beckford built Fonthill Abbey in Wiltshire

Institute at Upton Hall.

which was a vast Gothic revival mansion, with a splendid central tower, in which he

The Clock Engraved Benjamin Vulliamy,

housed his great art collection. He used as

London No 309

his architect the equally celebrated James Wyatt. Beckford had inherited the Fonthill

Width 9” 23cm

estate from his father Alderman William

Depth 4¾” 12cm

Beckford which included a Palladian

Height 9½” 24.5cm

mansion called Fonthill Splendens.

PROVENANCE

Sadly Beckford’s debts forced the sale of

William Beckford, delivered March 5, 1799

Fonthill Abbey and its contents over a

Private Collection, USA

series of sales which began in 1822, when some 2000 lots of furniture, pictures and

Benjamin Vulliamy was the son of a Swiss

objects were auctioned off, together with

watchmaker who emigrated to London

some 20,000 books ( cf. The Unique and

and married the daughter of the King's

Splendid Effects of Fonthill Abbey… The

Watchmaker, Benjamin Gray. Towards the

property and the most significant contents

end of the eighteenth century Vulliamy was

were purchased by John Faquhar who later

very successfully competing with French

consigned many of the objects to Phillips

makers supplying ornamental clocks in the

where Beckford and his son-in-law the Duke

neo-classical taste. By the 1800's his success

of Hamilton, were able to buy back much of it

led him to expand his repertoire. Taking

for prices considerably lower than Beckford

advantage of wartime restrictions on the

had originally paid.

import of French luxury goods, he began


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

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52250

A Rare Chinese Export Glass Painting The painting depicts a beautiful lady pining for her lover. She sits in a room with Chinese ink paintings, a blue and white bowl and an exquisite hanging lantern. She rests her arm on a lacquer table and is wearing a voided rich blue velvet waistcoat decorated with dragon roundels. Her headdress with gilt filigree dragons, ruyi forms and a coral hair-pin. Below, she wears a further gold filigree torque clasping a lock-form bejewelled pendant. In her right hand, she holds a precious shell form gilt snuff box. The picture retains its original eighteenth century gilt lacquer frame. Chinese Qianlong Period Circa 1760 Width 17� 43cm Height 26� 66cm


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

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52220

A Pair of Chippendale Period Stools An excellent pair of early Chippendale period stools with drop in seats upholstered in contemporary needlework. The show-wood friezes with ribbon and flower-head carved edge above four cabriole legs. Each leg carved with a cabochon to the knee and ball and claw feet. English Circa 1755 Width 22½” 57cm Depth 18” 46cm Height 18” 46cm


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52217

An Extremely Rare Pair of Chinese Nodding Figures in Original Costumes This truly exceptional and large pair of nodding figures is one of a very small number of known pairs retaining their original costumes. The condition of the costumes is remarkable. This handsome couple represent Han indigenous Chinese as opposed to Manchu. She has bound feet which is a Han tradition and not something the Manchu women did. He is a first rank mandarin as indicated by the red hat button. The dragon on the apricot coral silk robe is a four clawed Mang dragon. Again, a Han tradition that followed the old Ming dynasty laws that all Mandarins should wear a four-clawed dragon and not a five claw on their robes. The five-clawed dragon was reserved for the ruling class. The pattern of the 'Lishui' water and wave pattern and the colour palette all direct us to the DaoGuang period of 1821-1850. Chinese Circa 1821–1850 Height 26� 66cm OTHER EXAMPLES

A pair in the Green Drawing Room, Drottningholm Palace, Sweden The Cantonese Merchant Yamqua. Peabody Essex Museum, Massachusetts Figure of a lady, sold Christies London, 23rd November 2006, lot 94.


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

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16

90272

A Rare Pair of Twin Branch Cut Glass Candelabra A wonderful pair of twin branch ormolu

background and bordered by a decorative

candelabra with central pineapple finial and

motif on a purple background to the top

scrolling arms supporting 'Van Dyke' pans

and laurel leaves on a purple background

and nozzles with cut glass drops. The bases

below. The tri-colour is the rarest type of

with the finest quality tri-colour Wedgwood

decoration.

Jasperware drums. English Circa 1790 The Wedgwood drums with superbly

Width 13” 33cm

modelled classical figures applied to a blue

Height 13½” 34cm


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

51723

A George II Walnut & Parcel-Gilt Mirror This type of mirror was known in the 1730's as a 'tabernacle' mirror, a term that originally referred to architectural niches in which to place a statue. As remarked by Adam Bowett, 'the figure of the deity was replaced by that of the viewer, seemingly without any sense of irony.' This example is veneered in the more expensive burr walnut, selected for its highly figured grain which was and is still highly prized, and is now a golden colour. The proportions of this mirror are also noteworthy, for the ratio between height and width and mirror plate to frame are well balanced. The shape of the 'swan-neck' pediment is also well drawn. English Circa 1740 Width 31” 79cm Height 59” 149cm REFERENCE 1

A. Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture 1715-

1740 (2009), pp. 294–95; see also ibid., plate 6:63 (a similar mirror from Apter-Fredericks’ archive).

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52318

An Impressive Amboyna & Ebony Centre Table This impressive table has been designed in the 'gothic' taste so prevalent in the second half of the nineteenth century. In this instance, the use of amboyna and ebony are testament to its quality. Indeed, the top has a book matched quarter veneered amboyna top with a burr elm border inlaid with decorative motifs. The top is supported on end supports with gothic tracery and cluster columns united by a stretcher with a colonnade of cluster columns. English Circa 1865 Width 5’ 153cm Depth 36” 91.5cm Height 29” 74cm


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

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IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

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52291

A George II Giltwood Console Table after Designs by Matthias Lock A wonderfully light table epitomising the rococo design of the mid eighteenth century. The marble top above a pierced carved apron with C-scrolls, columns and foliage supported on cabriole legs, formed as two conjoining ‘C’ scrolls and terminating in stepped feet. English Circa 1750 Width 43” 110cm Depth 23½” 60cm Height 36” 91.5cm The present table bears striking similarities to the designs and work of the carver and designer Matthias Lock (b. c. 1710-d. 1765), namely to two pen and ink drawings for pier tables and mirrors, now in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, acquired by the museum in 1862 and 1863 from his grandson George Lock. This drawing shows a table with the same type of leg profile, similarly treated feet and pierced front apron.


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52277

A George III Mahogany Cellaret & Dumbwaiter This exceptionally rare piece is a wonderful example of a cabinet maker’s imagination and his mastery of both materials and technique. Standing on four ogee bracket feet, the bombe shaped base has three drawers, one of which is a lead lined cellaret, below three stepped tiers, each with arch shaped doors that open downwards, and surmounted by an octagonal cup with removable cover. The inclusion of a lead lined cellaret to cool the wine indicates that this piece was to facilitate drinking, presumably without the staff around, hence referring to it as a dumbwaiter. With the doors opened, the series of arches created rather invokes thoughts of temples, perhaps in this case one dedicated to Bacchus? English Circa 1770 Width 21¼” 54cm Depth 21¼” 54cm Height 63¾” 161cm PROVENANCE

Jean Stein February 9, 1934 – April 30, 2017. A renowned journalist and oral historian, Stein brought together fascinating people in legendary salon-like gatherings.


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

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90252

A Pair of George III Embossed Bird Pictures Attributed to Isaac Spackman These pictures, which would appear to be

books, Edwards studied these assiduously

Edwards’

in their original frames, are numbered 2

and, having made up his mind not to enter

source material for Samuel Dixon’s first

and 6. The different birds seen in each of the

business, decided to travel abroad. Between

set of ‘Foreign Birds’, issued in 1750 and

pictures are taken from original prints by

1716 and 1733 he visited many foreign

subsequent works by Isaac Spackman.

George Edwards and may be seen in signed

countries but in December of the latter year

examples by Isaac Spackman. One painting

settled down in London and, through the

Isaac Spackman (fl. c.1750-71) was perhaps

illustrating a Golden Crested Pheasant and

influence of Sir Hans Sloane, was chosen as

the most accomplished and prolific of artists

Cranes, the other with a White Chinese

Librarian to the Royal College of Physicians.

who specialised in bird pictures. Described

Pheasant Hen and Cock with a smaller

Almost immediately he commenced the

after his death by Horace Walpole as ‘a

Blue Ouzel.

preparation of a series of coloured drawings

painter of birds, of Islington, London, he

of animals and birds for his A Natural

also worked in watercolour on vellum’.

English Circa 1760

History of Uncommon Birds, published

Spackman produced his first set of twelve

Width 17” 43cm

1743 - 53. He was awarded the Gold Medal of

bird pictures in 1754, and further sets in

Height 20½” 52cm

the Royal Society and later elected a Fellow.

1764 and 1769, the earlier sets relating closely

Such was the impact on Natural History that

to those of Dixon, and in turn to George

George Edwards (1694–1773) was born

Edwards is considered to have almost single-

Edwards’ original illustrations.

at Stamford, Essex and was educated at

handedly popularized the art of bird and

public school in Leytonstone, later being

animal illustration, and is thus known as

apprenticed to a tradesman in London.

“The Father of British Ornithology.”

Having access to a large library of scientific

publication

provided

the


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

51688

A Pair of George III Blue John Urns A pair of urns of classical form and intended to adorn a mantelpiece. Blue john objects became highly fashionable in the latter part of the eighteenth century. English Circa 1790 Height 10½” 27cm

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52278

A George II Carved Mahogany Side Table A table of great character and some eccentricity.

accentuating the curves to the frieze, which

This gloriously patinated table has a wonderful

creates a strapwork-like effect reminiscent

double shell carved into the frieze and stands

of earlier furniture. The time taken for new

slightly higher than is typical. This, combined

designs and ideas to filter out from the main

with the somewhat exaggerated splay to the

centres of manufacture, the eccentric nature

legs, lends the table far more presence than its

of this table and its combination of earlier and

small scale would normally merit.

more current motifs is explained by its being made outside of London. In any event, it is a

Interestingly, its component parts; the legs,

delightful table.

the claw and ball feet, the shell and shaped frieze are all very well executed. However, the

English or possibly Irish Circa 1740

quirky nature of the overall proportions does

Width 33” 84cm

suggest a provincial or indeed, Irish origin.

Depth 20” 51cm

This possibility is supported by the incised line

Height 35¼” 90cm


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

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52004

An Exceptionally Attractive Pair of Decorated Chinese Nodding Figures The figures decorated in traditional ceremonial robes

Chinese, Qianlong Period,

which signify their status and rank at court. Both figures

Circa 1795

with the most attractive faces and dressed in contrasting

Height 11� 28cm

robes, hers being far simpler in decoration than his.


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

51655

A George III Chippendale Period Gilt-Wood Mirror The rectangular mirror plate framed by classical columns intertwined with foliage, flower heads and “C” scrolls. Surmounting the mirror is a wonderfully carved ho ho bird. English Circa 1765 Width 26” 66cm Height 47” 120cm

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52205

A Pair of George III Ormolu, Bronze & White Marble Candelabra This magnificent pair of candelabra are designed in the neo-classical manner to resemble Ancient Greek perfume burners or ‘cassolettes’. The domed shaped top, with a pineapple finial, may be turned upside down to reveal a nozzle for a candle. The bases having tripartite supports with superbly modelled ram’s heads to the top of each, chains suspended between them and terminating in cloven feet on an ormolu plinth. This in turn rests on an alabaster base with ormolu beading to the edge and an incised monogram AR either side of a crown. English Circa 1800 Diameter 3¾” 9.5cm Height 10½” 27cm


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

52184

An Impressive George IV Planter of Large Size The campagna body, carved with a band of lotus leaves, on a gadrooned and fluted socle and square base. The decoration is inspired by leaf friezes of similar form illustrated in C.H. Tatham, Etchings of Ancient Ornamental Architecture, 1799. English Circa 1825 Diameter 26” 66cm Height 35” 89cm

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52280

An Oak and Brass Letter Box A fine quality example dating to the late Nineteenth century which combines a golden coloured oak with brass and facetted glass. This model is quite unusual in having a clock in the arched top. English Circa 1880 Width 11” 28cm Height 18½” 47cm


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

52290

A Magnificent Bronze Lion Attributed to Gaetano Monti The finely sculpted bronze lion of impressive

Italian Circa 1820

stature and good patina. Standing with one

Width 20½” 52cm

paw resting on a ball and with thickly chased

Depth 10” 25.5cm

mane. The bronze attributed to the Milanese

Height 14” 36cm

sculptor, Gaetano Monti. 1750-1824

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52267

An Unusual French Snuffbox A most unusual double snuffbox celebrating the Océan-class battleships of the French Navy. The Océan-class ships of the line were a series of 118-gun threedecker ships designed by engineer Jacques-Noël Sané. Fifteen were completed from 1788 on, with the last one entering service in 1854; a sixteenth was never completed, and four more were never laid down. French Circa 1788–1830 Length 7” 18cm Depth 2” 5cm Height 3¾” 9.5cm


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

52286

A Pair of ‘Goat’s Head’ Vases by Matthew Boulton This was the most popular of Boulton’s small candle vases. They

English Circa 1768–1782

were produced between 1768, with the first recorded sale to Mrs

Width 2½” 6.5cm

Yeats, and certainly until 1782, when they were listed amongst

Height 8” 20cm

the stock. Whilst the metalwork was almost always ormolu, the bodies varied and included blue and green enamel, alabaster,

REFERENCE

leopard and tiger stone and, as in this example, Blue John.

Nicholas Goodison, Ormolu: The Work of Matthew Boulton, 1974, figs. 120 - 125

The goat’s head candle vases in ormolu and Blue John are

Nicholas Goodison, Matthew Boulton:

considered by many to be the most successful and attractive of

Ormolu, 2002, figs. 332 - 335.

Boulton’s ornaments. This design may be found in Pattern Book I, p.171

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52195

An Exceptionally Rare Mirror Attributed to Benjamin Goodison, Cabinetmaker to the Great Wardrobe The spectacular frame intricately carved with a series of decorative motifs including ribbon and flower head, Greek key pattern and an oak leaf and acorn border. Furthermore, the frame is surmounted by a scrolling pediment with acanthus leaf and a carved and pierced shell. English Circa 1730 Width 37” 94cm Height 56½” 143.5cm PROVENANCE

Norman Adams Ltd., Sold 1988. Private Collection, USA ATTRIBUTION

This mirror compares favourably in design and quality to those supplied by Benjamin Goodison to Frederick, Prince of Wales. The London cabinet-maker was favoured by the Prince of Wales and other members of the Royal family from the early 1730s until the late 1750s. Goodison's account in The Lord Chamberlain's papers for ”3 large Glass Sconces in carved & gilt frames wth. two wrot Arms to Each' for £27 of 1733 may relate to mirrors within this group. Although he made at least ten further ”sconces” similarly described and priced for the Prince's use at Hampton Court and Kew Palace. Benjamin Goodison was probably apprenticed to James Moore in 1720. By 1727 he had premises at the 'Golden Spread Eagle', Long Acre and it is assumed that Goodison succeeded Moore in royal service in 1726-27 after Moore's death. He is recorded as receiving payments from the Great Wardrobe from the late 1730s. REFERENCE

G. Child. World Mirrors. p.85 fig.76 G. Wills, English Looking Glasses. p.84 fig.54


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

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52282

A Set of English Fireplace Tools The fire irons in polished steel and gilt brass. Dating to the latter half of the nineteenth century, the tools are of good weight and superb quality. English Circa 1880

Opposite: 52289

A Pair of Bronze & Gilt-Bronze Tazzas The design of the tazzas has strong affinities with the engravings illustrated in Thomas Hope’s seminal publication, Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, 1807 which includes the introductory reference: `Throughout this vast metropolis, teeming as it does with artificers and trademsan I have, after the most laborious search, only been able to find...(one man)...to whose indistry and talent I could ...confide the execution of the more enriched portion of my designs: namely Decaix...a bronzist and native of France...’ Decaix, of Rupert Street, Piccadilly, who was also patronised by George Prince of Wales, later King George IV, was regarded as the leading London maker of mounts of the late Georgian era (see M. Chapman, 'Thomas Hope’s Vase and Alexis Decaix’, Bulletin of the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1988, pp. 217-221). English Circa 1810 Height 16” 40.5cm Diameter 10¼” 26cm


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

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40

Above:

Opposite:

90273

52305

A Charming George III Period Mirror Picture

A George III Plate & Cutlery Stand

In a carved gilt frame, the mirror picture depicts a pastoral

stringing, a spindle gallery and bowed end. It is raised on four square

scene with figures walking along a river. English Late Eighteenth Century Width 15” 38cm Height 12” 30cm

The charming mahogany stand has a banded top with fruitwood tapered legs which kick out towards the floor and are united by a ring turned x-stretcher with finial before terminating in fine spade feet. English Circa 1805 Length 19” 48.25cm Width 12” 30.5cm Height 24½” 62.5cm


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

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42

52293

A Pair of George III Sheraton Period Satinwood Commodes A pair of commodes from the latter half of the eighteenth century in a combination of satinwood and purpleheart with painted decoration to the oval panels in the doors. These highly functional pieces, with the drawer in the frieze and cupboards below, are excellent quality. This quality is illustrated by the inclusion of satinwood, which has become the most wonderful light colour, and silver plated handles. Pairs of commodes such as these are very rare and their inclusion in the Art Treasures Exhibition is testament to this fact. At this time, they were owned by the American dealer, Alistair Stair who sold them to a private collector.


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

43

English Circa 1780

EXHIBITED

Width 57” 145cm

The Art Treasures Exhibition, New York, 1967

Depth 20½” 52cm

Item 27, exhibited by Stair & Co.

Height 32¾” 83cm REFERENCE PROVENANCE

English Furniture, The Irwin Untermyer

The Lord Amherst, Later Baron Amherst of

Collection. Plate 287, Fig 329

Montreal, Kent (b. 29 Jan. 1717 d. 3 Aug. 1797)

A strikingly similar pair, formerly in the

Montreal Park, Kent

collection of Charles Richard John Spencer-

Stair & Co.

Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough, KG,

New York

TD. sold to Irwin Untermyer and now in the

Private collection, UK

Metropolitan Museum, New York.


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52308

A Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty Reverse Glass Paintings These reverse glass paintings each depict

of the eternal knot, symbol of long life,

musical instruments or to show they did not

a beautiful Court lady showing scholarly

and peonies symbolising feminine beauty,

have to work. Most likely each lady was of

attributes

to

pomegranates for fertility and the bamboo

Royal Manchu descent wearing informal

commemorate their birthdays. Each is finely

painted on the fan also alludes to long life.

gowns. The symbols especially the abundant

dressed, one in a cornflower blue silk damask

Their long black hair is drawn up showing

use of the eternal knot indicate long life

gown under which can be seen the edge of a

their beauty and decorated with an extension

birthday celebrations. Perhaps the portraits

wool lining, the other in a coral coloured silk

arranged with fresh flowers and ornaments.

were created to show their youth and beauty

and

possibly

painted

summer gown embroidered with auspicious

and eligibility to marry. The style of the

symbols. The gowns are both woven or

The inclusion of the Calligraphic scroll in

robes, colours and symbols all indicate mid-

embroidered with the symbol for long life

one and the fan in the other makes clear that

19th century designs between 1820-1850.

and the coral gown is also decorated with

the ladies are educated whilst indications as

butterflies symbolising happiness.

to their aristocratic status and wealth can be

Chinese Circa 1820–1850

gleaned from the use of kingfisher feathers

Width 19� 48.5cm

Further symbolism includes the use of a

adoring their hair ornaments and earrings.

Height 25� 63.5cm

phoenix hairpin and a hair pin in the shape

Their long nails symbolised the playing of


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

52287

A Rare George III Chippendale Period Side Table The table has a serpentine shaped top above a frieze

English Circa 1760

which is similarly shaped and has a single drawer. The

Width 38” 97cm

table stands on cabriole legs carved with ‘C’ scrolls and

Depth 20½” 52cm

bell flowers to the knees and terminating in scrolled feet.

Height 28½” 72.5cm

The table is the most outstanding colour and deeply

REFERENCE

patinated. It is one of three of this form that we know of.

English Furniture,

One, we handled in 1987 and another is in the Untermyer

The Irwin Untermyer Collection.

Collection in the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

Plate 207, Fig 245

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52317

A Highly Decorative Pair of Gilt-Wood Torchères Dating to the Regency period, the torchères are extremely refined with the carving confidently executed. The motifs incorporated into the torchères include the pineapple. At this time, the pineapple, named for its resemblance to the pine cone, was still a luxury items and very much associated with welcome and hospitality. English Circa 1810 Height 46½” 118cm Diameter top 11” 28cm


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

52060

A Large George III Blue John Urn The classical shape of this vase is particularly well drawn and in combination with the warm colours of the Blue John stone is a pleasing example. English Circa 1800 Height 16½” 42cm Width 5¾” 14.5cm

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48

90253

A Pair of Chamberlain Worcester Ice Pails & Sorbet Jars The twin handled Grecian bucket shape vessels are decorated with a broad band of yellow scrolling acanthus on an orange ground between framing devices of gilt diamond lozenges with central stylised Chrysanthemum. The covers with similar decoration and gilt rising handles. English Circa 1815 Diameter 9” 23cm Height 9½” 24cm The jars may be used for sorbet. Ice chips were mixed with salt and packed into the lower section and the lid of the jar. The salt would have the effect of lowering the temperature of the ice by 5 degrees. PROVENANCE

Lord Rasmead


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

52309

A Pair of Regency Chinoiserie Candlesticks Each candlestick with an oriental figure standing on a chased ormolu and bronze plinth mounted with ormolu foliage. The figures each hold a parasol which is hung with bells and is topped with a chased nozzle for the candlestick. English Circa 1810 Height 12� 30.5cm

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50

52272

An Exceptionally Rare Pair of Chinese Export Pembroke Tables The tables decorated throughout with floral and foliate motifs. The oval tops incorporating a pair of hinged flaps and centred by an oval reserve painted with a depiction of a river landscape. The frieze with a drawer to each side decorated with vine leaves on a patterned background. Standing on square section tapering legs terminating in block feet with leather castors.


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

The tables are clearly from the same workshop as a dressing case in the

Chinese Circa 1800

Peabody Essex Museum Collection and a pair of bureau cabinets formerly

Flaps up 39½” 100cm

at Mereworth Castle in Kent. In his book on the Decorative Arts of the

Flaps down 24” 61cm

China Trade, Carl Crossman describes this ‘zig-zag’ lacquer from Canton

Depth 26” 66cm

as a ‘…more striking and forceful decoration popular around 1800 seen

Height 29” 74cm

only rarely on the finest and possibly the most expensive export lacquer.’

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52


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

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54

52285

A Pair of Ormolu & White Marble ‘Cleopatra’ Candle-Vases by Matthew Boulton Each has a dished drip-pan above a

Rockingham bought a pair, though there is

fluted nozzle and ovoid bodies with

no indication of precisely what form these

rosette and garland swags and leaf-tip

vases took.

decoration on fluted socles. The pedestal, decorated to each side with medallions

In 1771 at Boulton’s sale at Christie’s, there

of Ceres, on stepped bases with ball feet.

were several pairs of vases that correspond to the description of the present pair and

English Circa 1770

Boulton specifically referred to ‘Cleopatra

Width 4¼” 11cm

vases’ in a subsequent letter to William

Height 11” 28cm

Matthews detailing the unsold stock.

Matthew Boulton’s candle vases of this

Despite being referred to as ‘Cleopatra’

pattern, one of the earliest of the vases to be

vases only one pair with medallions of

made at Soho, were commonly referred to as

Cleopatra is known; others depict Ceres, as

‘Cleopatra’ vases. The design for these vases

is the case with this pair. The vase pattern

conforms in almost every detail to a drawing

is discussed in detail in N. Goodison,

in Boulton’s Pattern Book I, p. 171. which

Matthew Boulton: Ormolu, London, 2002,

survives among the papers of Matthew

pp. 328 - 330, and three variations on the

Boulton at the Birmingham City Library.

pattern are illustrated, figs. 327, 328 and 329.

The vase pattern was invented for altar pedestals bearing `Cleopatra` medallions

LITERATURE

after the manner of a James Tassie gem.

Nicholas Goodison, Matthew Boulton: Ormolu, London, 2002, pp. 328 - 330

Boulton first used the term in correspondence

S. Mason, Matthew Boulton Selling what all

in 1770, when he thought the Dowager

the World Desires, New Haven and London,

Princess of Wales might be persuaded to

2009, p. 162, fig. 161

buy a pair. Later that year the Marquess of


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

55


56

52167

A most unusual pair of Regency period tea caddies The caddies decorated with a series of mirrored panels

English Circa 1810

decorated with a variety of outdoor pursuits and games.

Width 6¼” 15.9cm

These include rowing, hunting, shooting and cricket.

Depth 3¾” 9.5cm

There is even a game of tennis!

Height 4¼” 10.8cm


IMPORTANT ENGLISH FURNITURE

52258

A George III Chippendale Period Mahogany Occasional Table The table with a shaped gallery above two flame figured doors

English Circa 1770

decorated with ogee mouldings and patarae above four square

Width 21” 53.5cm

tapering legs terminating in block feet. The table further

Depth 13½” 34cm

enhanced by canted and fluted corners shaped brackets and

Height 27½” 70cm

the sides being decorated in the same manner as the doors.

57


58

52080

A Late Nineteenth Century Bookstand The octagonal top inlaid with geometric decoration and

English Circa 1860

banded in ebony and gilt metal beading. Below, the amboyna

Width 23½” 60cm

veneered frieze has further inlaid decoration above alternating

Depth 23½” 60cm

spaces for shelves and panels of amboyna framed in a series of

Height 25” 64cm

bandings and further enriched by gilt metal beading.



265–267 Fulham Road, London SW3 6HY, United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7352 2188 Fax: +44 20 7376 5619 Email: antiques@apter-fredericks.com www.apter-fredericks.com


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