HOTUNG | 何東 The Personal Collection of the late Sir Joseph Hotung | Part II: Evening

A pair of George III carved giltwood torcheres by Mayhew and Ince, 1772, possibly to a design by Robert Adam

UK: Greenford Park Warehouse

Auction Closed

December 7, 05:45 PM GMT

Estimate

20,000 - 40,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

A pair of George III carved giltwood torcheres by Mayhew and Ince, 1772, possibly to a design by Robert Adam

each with a circular dished top within a moulded and fluted and a ribbon-carved border with entrelac frieze and three naturalistically carved ram's heads, on outswept square beaded supports headed with husk swags and entwined with a snake, the legs with Greek-key pattern terminals, joined by concave fluted stretchers, on later bun feet, the tops numbered II and III, re-gilt

142cm. high, 63cm. wide; 4ft. 8in., 1ft.¾in.

A striking pair of torchères in overall in reasonable restored condition. Some repairs to carved details – notably to one swag, which has recently been reattached – and some losses to gilt gesso, notably to serpents. One serpent head is apparently later but it is worth noting that the other two from this set sold at auction in 2014 have the same variation. The uprights with plug repairs, approximately two-thirds of the way up, and it is possible that they were fitted with a stretcher or some other element now missing at these sites. Generally there are scattered chips and losses to gilding throughout, though this gilding is a later surface. The bun feet are later. Some of the carved laurel husks are possibly replaced. Generally the carving and particularly the modelling of the ram's heads is very good.

"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."

From a set of four torchères supplied to Francis Thomas Fitzmaurice, 3rd Earl of Kerry (1740–1818), for No. 2 Portman Square, London in 1772;
Sold Messrs. Christie and Ansell, A Catalogue of The Magnificent Furniture ... of The Right Honourable The Earl of Kerry, 23 - 31 March 1778, lots 9 and 10;
Acquired from the above by Humphrey Sturt (d. 1786) for Crichel, Dorset;
Christie's London, Important English Furniture, 15 April 1982, lot 33.

A. Tipping, ‘Crichel – II, Dorset’, Country Life, 1925, p.823;
H. Roberts, ‘Precise and Exact in the Minutest Things of Taste and Decoration’: The Earl of Kerry’s patronage of Ince & Mayhew’, Furniture History, 2013, p.23.