A pair of George I gilt gesso torchères circa 1720, in the manner of James Moore

each with round foliate decorated top on a faceted column pedestal on tripod legs with pad feet

Acquired from Partridge Fine Arts Ltd., London, 30th January 1978.

Comparative Literature: 
Lanto Synge, Mallett's Great English Furniture, 1991, p.43, fig. 33, illustrates an identical pair of torchères.

P. Macquoid and R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1954, rev. ed., vol. III, p.148, Fig. 9.

Tessa Murdoch, The King`s cabinet- maker: the giltwood furniture of James Moore the Elder, The Burlington Magazine, June 2003, 408-420.

Adam Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture, 1715-1740, 2009, pl.5:14, p.208

Overall good condition; these torcheres have been re-gilt and they have small losses to gilding.
"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 French inspired model of torchères, or stands, was particularly popular in the first half of the 18^th century and was usually made en suite with a pier mirror and table. James Moore is recognised as the leading cabinet-maker working in this gilt-gesso technique in the 1720’s, having supplied pieces to Hampton Court, Blenheim and Boughton, among them torchères with similar foliated capitals.  The model of the present lot appears with faceted or turned column pedestal. A similar pair is published in Lanto Synge, Great English Furniture, 1991, p.43 and three other pairs have been sold recently, a pair at Christie's New York, 29 October 1983, lot 202 ($13,200); another pair at Christie's London, 14 June 2001, lot 133 (£15,275); and a final pair at Christie's New York, 11 June 2010, lot 228 ($50,000).