BY VULLIAMY & SON

Details

A REGENCY ORMOLU AND GREEN-SPECKLED 'LAVA' MARBLE VASE AND COVER
By Vulliamy & Son
The shallow domed cover with berried finial above scrolling foliage, the body supported by three eagles with outspread wings on plinths with lion-masks, on a turned stepped base, stamped 'TT', with paper label inscribed in ink '3611', the lip of the cover with chips, restorations to the marble
5¾ in. (14.5 cm.) high; 6½ in. (16.5 cm.) diam., including the eagle heads

Provenance

Supplied to John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford (1766-1839) and probably given by 1813 to his sister-in-law, Elizabeth, Marchioness of Bath (d. 1830), daughter of the 4th Viscount Torrington and wife of Thomas, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837) and by descent at Longleat.

Literature

1837 Inventory, Ante Library or Breakfast Room, 'Two Bronze and Marble Ditto [Vases].
1852 Inventory, No. 65 Ante Library or Breakfast Room, 'Two Bronze and Marble Vases'.
1869 Inventory, Small Library, 'A lava tazza and cover supported by eagles of ormolu'.
1896 Inventory (2nd Marquess' Heirlooms), f 93 r Red Library, 'A ditto bowl and cover mounted closed ormolu supported by Eagles on circular base under glass shade - height 7 inches'.
M. Aldrich, 'The Marquess and the Decorator', Country Life, 7 December 1989, p. 163, fig. 4.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

This vase and cover is conceived in the Roman manner, with festive palm-flowered thyrsus finial borne by Jove's eagles above a stepped altar. Their pedestal perches bear lion-masks evoking the triumph of the wine-deity, Bacchus.

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