An Early Victorian carved marble and mirrored surtout-de-table circa 1850

the carved white marble buds and flower heads of a Victoria Regina Waterliily arranged on a mirror-mounted red marble base, raised on bun feet, some losses

Photographed in the State Music Room  in the late 19th century;
Chatsworth Inventory, 1892, p. 130 in the West Picture Gallery described as 'A 19in circular silver glass plateau & Parian model of The Victoria Regina Water Lily, on marble stand, and glass shade';
Chatsworth Inventory, 1905, p. 43 no. 156 in The West Corridor

An extremely unusual and decorative piece, however much of the carved marble decoration is missing. There are a few small chips to the mirror and some detatched petals.
"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."

This mirrored marble model celebrates the 6th Duke's achievement in cultivating, for the first time in Britian, a Victoria Amazonica, or to give it the Duke's name, when he presented its flowers to Queen Victoria, 'The Victoria Regina Waterlily'.
The Duke, with his gardener Paxton, were in semi friendly rivalry with the Duke of Northumberald and his gardener Iveson, to see who might cultivate the first plant. News arrived of his success in November 1849. In James Lees-Milnes words (The Bachelor Duke, op cit, p. 187), 'Before the Duke left Lismore at the beginning of November a letter came from Paxton annoucing 'The Last Leaf of Victoria is 4 ft. 8½ins in diameter and as it bears the Queen's name, perhaps his Grace will want to send her the first flower; a bud was already showing'. The exciting news made him hurry to London where he took an express train up to Chatsworth.

Victoria Regina the immense waterlily named after the Queen was discovered in 1837 on the Berbice River in British Guiana by Sir Robert Schomburgk who sent seeds and drawings to England. At Kew Gardens the lily never flowered but Paxton acquired a plant from his friend Sir William Hooker, Kew's director, and spent three weeks preparing a special tank and glass house for its reception at Chatsworth. By September 140 large leaves and 112 flowerheads had formed. Twice Victoria Regina outgrew her tank and twice Paxton had to build her new ponds. The final lily house, in the Duke's words, '[was] the parent of the Great Exhibition - which emerged was given supporting roof ribs copied by the ingenius Paxton from those of the plants leaf... The Duke could not keep away from Victoria Regia. On the 20th he paid no less than four visits on the 22nd Sir William Hooker arrived to covert; and on the same day Annie Paxton, Joseph's little daughter of 7 was, to great delight, made by the Duke and Lady Newburgh to stand on one of the leaves.'