A Pair of George III Carved Mahogany Torchères, Circa 1760

The Collection of Sir Joseph Hotung, Sotheby's London, 8 December 2023, lot 124.

These beautifully patinated torcheres can be closely compared to a tripod table probably commissioned by Sir George Lyttelton, 5th Bt. and 1st Baron Lyttelton of Frankley (d.1775) for Hagley Hall, Worcestershire, sold Sotheby’s, London, 4 June 2008, lot 99. With dense mahogany, spirally fluted stem and knop and balustraded gallery, the torcheres also have a similarly shaped foot to the tripod table which, owing to the brass inlay, was attributed to the Moravian émigré cabinet-maker Fredrick Hintz. It is interesting to note that the current torcheres also have brass stringing to the galleries.

Elegant torcheres such as these have excited collectors, particularly those of the twentieth century. Whilst the current examples are perhaps slightly plainer than some they do possess the most extraordinary quality of timber and colour, more elaborate examples were in the collection of Samuel Messer and subsequently in the collection of Simon Sainsbury, sold Christie’s London, 18 June 2008, lot 90 (£289,250). Another pair were in the collection of Lord and Lady Samuel of Wych Cross, sold Sotheby’s, London, 18 November 2008, lot 76 (£157,250). Others are recorded in the renowned collection of SB Joel and the Gubbay Collection at Clandon Park.