A FINE PAIR OF GEORGE III CARVED MAHOGANY AND BRASS MOUNTED DINING ROOM PEDESTALS AND URNS circa 1770

each figured urn of campana form with fluted and gadrooned collars, the conforming domed covers surmounted by flower head form and fluted finials and gadrooned moldings, above a spreading turned foot, the sides mounted with gilt metal lion masks with drop ring handles and with brass spigots, each fitted pedestal with a large and small panel of figured veneer within moldings with re-entrant corners and quartered cross banding, and supported on stepped molded solid plinths, one fitted with a drawer containing a removable ice tray above a cupboard, the other fitted as a heating cabinet with a metal lining and with slatted shelves and a drawer in the base for charcoal.

With M. Harris and Sons Ltd., London, sold January 28, 1942,  for £80 'Pair of old Chippendale mahogany Urns and Pedestals', to Dr. William Glin, Bampton Grange, Oxfordshire

The Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair, London, June 14-20, 2000, Devenish & Company, Stand 71, illustrated in the catalogue p. 114

Restored condition, the first with some small stress crack, chips and losses to the veneers of the drawer and back left corner, some minor shrinkage to staves of urn, the door locked, the second with old infilled repaired break to finial, some age crack to side panels, some minor shrinkage to staves of urn, overall with some minor chips to veneers and some old marks, scratches scuffs and bruises.
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.

George Hepplewhite noted in his The Cabinet-Maker & Upholsterer's Guide first published in 1788 that 'pedestals and Vases are much used in spacious dining-rooms' being placed either side of a sideboard, 'One pedestal serves as a plate-warmer, being provided with racks and a stand for a heater; and is lined with strong tin; the other pedestal is used as a pot cupboard. The vase may be used to hold water for the use of the butler, or iced water for drinking, which is included in an inner partition; or may be used as knife cases'. Plates 35 and 36 shows pedestals and urns similar to the present pair, although their design is lighter and more in the neoclassical taste than these which are some fifteen years earlier. The gilt-metal lion mask handles appear to be identical to those used by Thomas Chippendale on an oval wine-cooler dated circa 1768 formerly at Cannon Hall, although these were probably acquired from independent brass-founders.