An important set of three George III ormolu two-handled cups and covers in the manner of Matthew Boulton circa 1800

the foilate circular base supporting a spreading foot with foilate collar beneath a stiff-leaf molded urn with scrolling fruiting vine leaf frieze and gadrooned rimbell-form stiff-leaf molded cover with foliate bud-form finial flanked by a pair of acanthus-molded and reeded handles, the interiors of the cups and covers lined in ormolu.

Overall very good condition; the largest with some rubbing and wear and losses to gilding to tips of gadrooned rim; minor losses and rubbing and wear to tips of leaves to handles; some very minor areas of pitting and some scratches; each with some losses and rubbing and wear to the very edges of the covers; one with some minor dents to edge; one foot with extensive rubbing and wear with some loss to gilding to very edge before the foliate molded edge; each with some minor pitting in places; the gilding is a nice color and appears to be original.
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.

The form of the present cups and covers can be found in many silver examples dating from the 1770s/80s.  For example, it is very similar to a race cup by William Holes and Nicholas Dumée made in 1774, now at Temple Newsham House. (Illustrated in James Lomax, British Silver at Temple Newsham House and Lotherton Hall, Leeds, 1992, plate 2).

The molded leaf support issuing from the cup and the acanthus molded and reeded handles are similar to the handle of a silver-gilt ewer made by Robert Sharp in London in 1783 commissioned for Sarh Anne daughter and heiress of the banker Sir Robert Child. (Illustrated in Christopher Hartop, The Classical Ideal: English Silver, 1760-1840, Cambridge, 2010)

Whilst the form is of the last quarter of the 18th century, the addition of the fruiting vine leaf banding to the cup is much more turn of the century.  In many ways this pieces is transitional from late 18th century neoclassicism to a more informed and academic classicism of the early 19th century.  The form of late Georgian and early Regency silver becomes more squat or square, compared to the elongated cups of the last quarter of the 18th century.  The decoration is also much more true to actual classical motifs as drawn by the architect Charles Heathcote Tatham and championed by the designers Thomas Hope and George Smith.  It is likely that the founder re-used the mold an many of the elements adding the vine leaf frieze to update the model rather than creating a whole new form.