A George III paktong fender circa 1780, in the manner of Robert Adam

of serpentine form with elaborate engraved decoration punctuated by profile medallions

Good overall condition
"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."

A very similar fender cast in the same metal, recorded at Saltram, Devon was possibly supplied under the auspices of Robert Adam for John Parker, later Lord Borington (see W.D. John and K. Coombes, Paktong, Newport, 1970, pl. 30 and John Cornforth, `Saltram, Devon-II', Country Life, May 4 1967, p. 1066, fig. 5). A further comparable example with provenance from Battle Abbey is also illustrated in John and Coombes. op. cit., pl. 11. A Paktong fire basket together with a related fender ensuite sold Christie's London, `Simon Sainsbury: The Creation of an English Arcadia', 18 June 2008, lot 88. (see Alfred Bonnin, Tutenag & Paktong, 1924, pl. 1 (frontispiece) and p. 92, and W.D. John and K. Coombes, Paktong, Newport, 1970, pl. 10).

The alloy Paktong, derived from the Chinese word meaning `White Copper', is constituted from copper, Zinc and nickel, resembling silver with a yellow tinge.  Sometimes confused with tutenag, a similar alloy with a higher zinc content, it was a metal used in China possibly as early as the first century A.D. In China it seems to have been used mainly for small domestic utensils, and also is frequently found worked as hinges, clasps and locks for furniture, including export wares, from the 17th century through the 19th century.  However it was not until the 1720s that Paktong first arrived in London. Its principal advantage was that unlike silver, it did not tarnish and could be easily worked, making the alloy ideal for firegrates and related metalware items, a fact well recognised in 18th Century Europe (see A.Bonnin, op. cit. 1924, pp.18-51) . Opinions vary as to whether Paktong wares would have been manufactured by silversmiths or brass founders due to scant documentary evidence (see Keith Pin, Paktong, The Chinese Alloy in Europe 1680-1820, 1999)

Evidence of Robert Adams' use of Paktong in fire furniture is provided by a group of documented Paktong fire grates incorporated into buildings with interiors designed by Robert Adam and possibly supplied to his specifications.  Besides the aforementioned fender at Saltram, these include an example supplied for the Duke of Northumberland at Syon House, Middlesex and another for the Earls of Coventry at Croome Court, Worcestershire or Coventry House, Piccadilly, sold Christie's London `The Messer Collection', 5 December 1991, lot 20.