A George III ormolu-mounted blue john 'wing-figured' candle vase by Matthew Boulton

mounted as a lamp.  Adapted, lacking candle arms, chains and top, later top, finial and wood base, drilled for electricity.

Adapted, lacking candle arms, chains and top, later top, finial and wood base, drilled for electricity; overall good restored condition; ormolu top to the vase associated and with dents and wear; infilled cracks to blue john vase and with an approximate 3 ½ inch hairline age crack to one side; rubbing and wear to the ormolu mounts with two tears to the foliate base flanking one caryatid figure and with a minor tear to the ormolu foliate base flanking the other caryatid figure; small chips to the marble base with some staining and wear
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.

Although now lacking its arms and top, the present 'wing-figured' candle vase is most certainly from the workshop of Matthew Boulton.  From the Boulton archives it appears that there were three forms of vases utilizing 'winged figures' as shown in the present example.  One was in the form of cassolettes or perfume burners, the ovoid vase bodies ornamented with stiff leaves, and supported on tripods with winged females above legs with claw toes; the covers were either pierced or in the form of candle-holders and a small burner was suspended by chains below.  Two forms of bases are recorded, one in the form of a short triangular stepped plinth, the other in the form of a triangular pedestal ornamented with rams' heads at the corners and with classical figures (see N. Goodison, Matthew Boulton: Ormolu, 2002, figs. 362–65.  The second was in the form of a simple ovoid body either with a reversible cover with a candleholder or issuing two scrolled candle arms; see Goodison, op. cit., figs. 371–73.

The third model is represented by the present vase, the figures differing slightly from the perfume burners and cassolettes by having raised wings, an extra bead necklace and slight differences to the hair.  These various models of 'winged vases' are first recorded in the archives in early 1772, variants of the present pair being acquired by, amongst others, the Duke of Northumberland, the Earl of Sefton, and Robert Child at Osterley Park.   Bodies of blue john, white marble or opaque white glass are recorded, some with low plinths, in ormolu as in the present example, white marble or blue john.   Others are raised on ormolu plinths inset with blue john (see Goodison, op. cit., figs. 365–73).  The cost of these appears to have varied between twelve and fourteen guineas, obviously dependant on the material of the bodies and type of base.  From the archives it appears that they were still in production in 1784.  The present vase is notable for the rich color of the body and the finely cast and chiseled ormolu retaining much of its original gilding.

A pair of wing-figured candle vases by Matthew Boulton was sold, Sotheby's, London, July 1998, lot 61, and another pair in these rooms, The Collections of Lily & Edmond J. Safra, vol. II, November 3, 2005, lot 110.