Lot 144
  • 144

An important Regency blue john Krater-form vase attributed to James Shore circa 1815

Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 USD
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Description

  • height 29 3/4 in.; width 14 1/2 in.; width over handles 14 1/2 in.; height of vase 25 in.; diameter of rim 11 1/4 in.
  • 75.6 cm; 36.8 cm; 63.5 cm; 28.6 cm
Restorations, additions to socle.

Condition

Very rare, of large proportions, and rich colors; with old repairs and restorations; the color in the catalogue illustration was achieved by placing a light within the vase; without a light, the red is more muted but still has very rich colors. The vase has been drilled and fitted with a hollow metal rod probably for electricity; subsequently, the black Ashford marble base has been channeled to the underside of one side for an electrical wire. The molded rim with a restored section approximately 9 inches in length incorporating one handle; the same handle with subsequent repaired break and with chips to the molded edges of one side and with repaired break to base of handle at join with body; the rim with two additional restored sections, the first approximately 4 inches in length, the other approximately 1 ½ inches in length and with adhesive residue to the inside of the rim; the other handle with two old repaired breaks with infilling, one lion head with restoration to part of mane; each restored section with infilling and inpainting and with small chips around cracks; half of the base of the body with restored and repaired breaks emanating from the socle and with one infilled chip approximately 1 ½ inch by 1 inch; the inside of the body of the vase filled partially with a reinforcing material probably to help stabilize the breaks to the bottom of the vase; the replaced socle between the body of the vase and the spreading foot is made of metal and plaster and now with cracks, losses, infilling and inpainting; the foot in good condition with repaired chip to edge of foot; the black Ashford marble base in good condition with small chips to the edges; overall with wear and scratches and with small chips to the extremities.
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.

Catalogue Note

This impressive blue john vase is closely related to another vase of similar form, now in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire (T. Ford, Derbyshire Blue John, Ashbourne: Landmark Publishing, 2000, p. 86), which was made in 1815 by James Shore of Matlock Bath, Derbyshire.  Little is known of Shore other than his claim that his vase, which measured 24 inches high including the plinth, was the largest ever made.  After his death it passed to John Mawe, another worker in blue john, who had shops in Matlock, Castleton, Cheltenham, Scarborough and London, and then to William Adam at whose sale in 1849 it was presumably acquired by the Duke of Devonshire; see Christie's, London, July 6, 1972, lot 4 for a large blue john base with a trade label on the base inscribed: S. Maws [sic], Mineralogist by Appointment to Her Majesty, Manufacturer and Importer of Ornaments and Objets d'Art in Alabaster, Marble, Bronze and Derbyshire Spar, Minerals and Shells.  Extensive collections of the rarest specimens with all the recent publications relating to Mineralogy, Conchology and Geology.  Shore's vase now has slate handles, although a contemporary illustration of it indicates that these were originally in blue john (Ford, op.cit., p. 90) and the pedestal was altered in height.  The construction of the two vases is the same being formed by a series of rings fitted one above the other. 

The profile of this vase is derived from an ancient Greek pottery krater, a large vessel intended for wine.  Thomas Hope designed several vases of this form in bronze and gilt metal, including one appropriately ornamented with 'Bacchanalian masks, vine wreaths, and other emblems of Bacchus'; see T. Hope, Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, 1807, pl. XXXV and D. Watkin and P. Hewat-Jaboor, eds., Thomas Hope Regency Designer, New Haven: Yale University Press, 2008, exh. cat., pp. 416-417.  It is interesting to note that the masks to the handles are possibly derived from a design published in 1798 for 'Antique Vases in dark oriental Marbles from the Collection in the Museum of the Vatican' by C. H. Tatham in Etchings representing the best examples of Ancient Ornamental Architecture; drawn from the originals in Rome, and other parts of Italy, during the years 1794, 1795, and 1796.  Ancient Egyptian basalt figures of lionesses at the base of the steps leading to the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome (see Watkin and Hewat-Jaboor, op. cit., pp. 392-395, fig. 76-1) could also be the source for the lioness mask.  Hope used it the lionesses as models for the ends to pair of settees in the Egyptian Room, Duchess Street, Hope, op. cit., pl. VIII, and for a pair of ornaments on the mantle-piece in the same room, op. cit., pl. XLVI.  A vase with inset heads to the shaped handles by Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine, Recueil de décorations intérieures, 1801, pl. 18, no. 1, appears to be the closest design source for the present lot.

A related, but smaller, Regency blue john vase attributed to James Shore was sold in these rooms, April 7, 2004, lot 159 ($243,200).