Classic Design Including Property of the Marquess of Anglesey
Classic Design Including Property of the Marquess of Anglesey
The Property of the Marquess of Anglesey at Plas Newydd
A carved marble cistern, 19th century, possibly earlier
Lot Closed
April 11, 01:02 PM GMT
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
the carved single block of marble of oval form and with large masks to each side, the body with scrolled brackets headed by scallop shells either side of cornucopia filled with flowers and supported by ribbons, now on later 19th century cast-bronze acanthus and paw feet supports, losses and evidence of historic repairs
approx. 54cm high, 93cm. wide, 57cm deep; 1ft. 9 1/4in., 3ft. 1/2in., 1ft. 10 1/2in.
Plas Newydd, Anglesey, in the Entrance Hall.
The piece was said to be used by the Anglesey family as a wine cooler. The marble is possibly Orange Varois.
Tracing which of the Paget houses this large marble cistern comes from has proven hard. The piece may well have always been at Plas Newydd, and it is believed that it was outside in the Park there at one stage. There is a tantalising reference in an inventory of the contents of Beaudesert, the Paget's great 16th century family seat in Staffordshire from 1863 (Staffordshire Record Office, D603/1/4) which details in the Great Hall a 'Large solid marble vase and pedestal' (p. 75). The brevity of the description does not give much away and there is the question of a stand referred to, so it is certainly not definitive. It is tempting to think that this record possibly refers to the present lot, as Beaudesert, a late Renaissance palace, would have been the perfect backdrop.