A GEORGE III SILVER-GILT TRIPOD CANDELABRUM CENTERPIECE, BENJAMIN SMITH II & JAMES SMITH, LONDON, 1809 |

of substantial weight, raised on three reeded supports with paw feet conjoined by matted leaves and wrapped with serpent tails, the frame hung with grapevine between clusters of melons and peaches, supporting a bowl with scrolling foliate rim and openwork cover applied with a diaper pattern of graduated quatrefoils, with removable glass liner and flowerspray finial cover, fitted with three pairs of candle branches with flower-form sconces, the nozzles with beaded and serrated tips

as noted re. unmarked and later flowerspray finial, some minor dents to rims of nozzles, otherwise in good condition
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This centerpiece is related to one marked by Philip Cornman, 1805 and designed by Charles Heathcote Tatham, for the 5th Earl of Selkirk, sold Sotheby’s New York, 20 October 2011, lot 816, collection of Lily and Edmond J. Safra and now in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. In this example, the three branches are closer to the design for a "piece of plate, designed and executed in silver for the Earl of Carlisle in the year 1801", published in Designs for Ornamental Plate, 1806. Similar Cornman centerpieces were supplied by Rundell Bridge and Rundell to the 8th Baron Kinnaird in 1806 and to Tatton Park in 1807.