A pair of George III ormolu twin branch candelabra circa 1775, attributed to Matthew Boulton

the later lead inset to the underside of each base with inscribed markings 'W&W' and the number '1373', with foliate cast arms with fluted nozzles and leaf-tip drip-pans flanking a similar larger nozzle on a guilloche socle above a Greek-key frieze with ram-masks and drapery swags, the tapering shafts further cast with vertical bands of guilloche on an ovolu and gadrooned socles and acanthus cast bases with leaf-cast and Vitruvian scrolled plinth bases

Purchased by the present owner from a private collection in Suffolk circa 1990

Overall in a very good untouched country house condition. Some slight looseness to the arms. The gilding dirty and worn in places revealing the bronze beneath.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Matthew Boulton and his partner, John Fothergill, founded their metalwork factory in Soho near Birmingham, in the 1760s. The firm produced silver, Sheffield plate and ormolu ornaments and received commissions from a number of leading patrons such as George III and Catherine the Great. The firm produced a variety of items which included vases, inkstands, ice pails, tripods, girandoles and obelisks as well as candelabra.

Elements of the design of these candelabra relate to a number of drawings known to be by Matthew Boulton and also to various pieces known to have been made in the Soho works. A pair of medallion vase perfume burners which were listed as unsold in the sale catalogue at Christie`s in April 1771 and are believed to be the pair now in the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg ( illustrated in Nicholas Goodison, Matthew Boulton: Ormolu, 2002, p.345, pl.349) see illustration, have identical stems to the present lot. In further support of the Boulton attribution, Pattern book 1, pp.13 and 11 illustrate drawings of candle-arms similar to those of the present lot and a further drawing in the same pattern book, p.41 also shows a stem and base with similarities .