A Regency ormolu-mounted Blue John two-handled vase circa 1805

Partridge Fine Arts PLC, 1986

Very good restored condition; old breaks to handles now with extensive restoration and infilling; infilled cracks to the body of the vase beneath one ormolu mask; minor infilling to the foot ; numerous chips to the top of the spreading foot beneath the ormolu collar; the ormolu rim with a small drilled hole to the front and back each with a screw; two small drilled holes to rim beneath one handle; minor bending to one side of the rim; small firing tear to top of flat-leaf molded collar between the body and foot of the vase; ormolu collar possibly associated; one side of ormolu base with a circular patch; vase drilled for electricity; square plinth; base probably associated; rubbing and light wear to extremities of gilding; please note that without removing the ormolu rim it is impossible to determine the condition of the Blue John rim, the ormolu mounts possibly associated.
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.

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. 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.