A St. James (Charles Gouyn) gold-mounted double scent bottle, circa 1750-54

formed as a parrot and a cockerel standing on a small mound base, their detachable heads with scrollwork gold mounts, the mounted base painted with small flower sprigs and a larger spray to the underside,

The well-known collection of Chelsea Scent bottles formed by the late Mrs. Meyer Sassoon; The Property of Mrs. Derek Fitzgerald; 
Sotheby's London, 4th May 1965, lot 65; acquired at the sale by Winifred Williams;
With Winifred Williams, London;
Acquired from Winifred Williams, June 1985

Reginald Blunt (ed.), The Cheyne Book of Chelsea and China Pottery, 1924, pl. 27, no. 22;
Kate Foster, Scent Bottles, 1966, cover, p. 59, pl. 44;
Kate Foster, Chelsea Scent Bottles - 'Girl in a Swing' and Another Group, 1967, E.C.C Trans., Vol. 6, Pt. 3, p. 285, no. 12

In excellent condition, no damage noted.
"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."

Very few examples of this form appear to be recorded, listed as 'Cochin China Cock and parrot', Kate Foster includes this in the first category in her paper, op. cit., 1967. An example from the Lady Charlotte Schreiber collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London is illustrated by G. E. Bryant, The Chelsea Porcelain Toys, 1925, p. 47, pl. 3, where the present example is also listed along with two others, one from The property of the late Otto and Magdalene Blohm, was sold in these rooms, 9th-10th October 1961, lot 521.