Harriet, Duchess of St. Albans: A pair of george IV silver three-light figural candelabra, Philip Rundell, London, 1821

drum-shaped bases raised on three double-shell and grapevine supports, each applied twice with monogrammed shields and backed by applied trailing ivy, the stems formed as entwined grapevines with three bacchic putti modeled in full relief at the base, the undersides of the drip-pans chased with grapeleaves and grapes, matching campana sconces, crested detachable nozzles, fully marked, base rims stamped RUNDELL BRIDGE ET RUNDELL AURIFICES REGIS LONDINI, three drip-pans and two nozzles by John Bridge, 1823

one sconce with slightly bent rim but can be fixed, two branches resoldered at their bases, good condition
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A pair of three-light silver-gilt candelabra marked by Philip Rundell, 1820, in the Collection of His Excellency Mohamed Mahdi Altajir share similar bases and identical grapevine stems (see Hartop, Royal Goldsmiths: The Art of Rundell & Bridge 1797-1843, p. 73, fig. 63, cat. #44).

The monogram is that of Harriet, Duchess of St. Albans, wife of William Aubrey de Vere, 9th Duke of St. Albans, widow of Thomas Coutts, the banker.  She made her first appearance on the stage at Ulverstone, 16 October 1787, in a farce The Spoiled Child.  Her debut in London was as Lydia Languish in Sheridan's Rivals, 31 January 1795, and her last appearance as Audrey in As You Like It 7 February 1815.  She married Thomas Coutts on 18 January 1815, at St. Pancras, and, as this marriage was, it seems legal, the were remarried by license at the same church on 12 April of the same year.  On his death, 22 February 1822, he left her his universal legatee, The Morning Post recording that "some time previous to his death he settled upon Mrs. C the sum of £600,000 with the house in Stratton Street, al the plate, linen & c.-the service of plate is said to he the most valuable in any of the country-together with the house in Highgate and all its appurtances...the whole makes her the riches widow in the United Kingdom."

When she married the Duke of St. Albans on 16 June 1827 he was twenty-six and she was fifty.  On her death, she left the bulk of her property to Angela, her stepdaughter, 5th and youngest daughter of Sir Francis Burdett, Bart., by Sophia, 3rd daughter of Thomas Coutts by his 1st wife, and afterwards suo jure Baroness Burdett-Coutts.  She left, however, £10,000 per year, the house in Piccadily, and Holly Lodge to her 2nd husband.  The residue "amounts, it is confidentially stated, to £1,300,000." (The Complete Peerage)