18th Century George III Silver Candlesticks by Matthew Boulton

An exceedingly rare and important pair of George III-period mahogany knife boxes of exceptional quality and condition. The boxes are of serpentine form with refined crossbanded and c...

An outstanding pair of sterling silver candlesticks by English silversmith Alexander Johnston. Reflecting the mid-18th century Georgian taste for the Rococo style, these candlesticks feature deeply chased decoration, from shells and palms to acanthus and rosettes, as well as an engraved armorial on each pedestal. Their exuberant yet balanced design is characteristic of the sophisticated style brought to England by French Huguenot silversmiths in the 1700s. Alexander Johnston first entered his mark in 1747 and work such as his, as well as that of artists like the celebrated Paul de Lamerie, indicated the adoption of French forms in all of the decorative arts, from furniture to textiles, hailing the dramatic shift from the more restrained classical manner. Excellent condition. Hallmarked London, 1751 10 ¾” high Reference: English goldsmiths and their marks, 2nd ed., 1921, Sir Charles James Jackson.

This incredibly rare pair of antique candlesticks, comprised of beautifully polished agate stone mounted in gilded silver, was crafted by Edward Farrell, one of the finest craftsmen working in the Rococo Revival style. Opulent yet well-balanced, with wide octagonal bases, scallop bobeches and an intricate floral motif, these intriguing lights were most certainly made for an affluent member of society. Farrell, who worked with Paul Storr, excelled at creating highly figurative, elaborate pieces, and was known as a specialist in historical plate. He also supplied Frederick, the Duke of...

The epitome of Russian craftsmanship, this majestic and incredibly rare pair of candelabra would have been fit for the Czar. These superb Louis XVI style figural bronze candelabra were created in the Neoclassical taste that permeated Russia during the late 18th century. The chiselled gilt bronze work is in a class all its own – a trademark of only the most exceptional Russian ormolu craftsmen. Elegant patinated bronze nudes hold aloft delicate gilt bronze branches accentuated by gilt chains. Elevated atop classical columns crafted of polished gray marble, these lights perfectly express the outstanding grace and luxurious artistry of Russian decorative art. In France during the late 18th century, Neoclassicism emerged as the most popular style after the exuberance of Rococo during the reign of Louis XV. The emphasis was on simplicity, straight lines and symmetry. Slenderness of proportion was stressed in furniture and decorating, and these patterns extended to other areas of the arts. French design taste has historically spread and influenced styles throughout Europe, and Russia in particular has a long history of adopting foreign stylistic trends considered to be the epitome of grand taste. Catherine the Great and her grandson Alexander I...

Pair of George III candlesticks, ca 1820. Each: Bellied socket with detachable bobeche; upward tapering fluted and leaf-wrapped columnal shaft with flanges. Leaf and gadrooned orname...

A fine quality Georgian III period silver plated inkstand by celebrated English silversmith Matthew Boulton, displaying all of the timeless eleganc...

A Magnificent, Exceptionally Rare, Museum Quality Pair of 18th Century English Ormolu Mounted, Hand-Carved and Hand-Polished Carrara Marble Cassolettes, By Matthew Boulton. These beautiful ormolu-mounted white marble cassolettes are by Matthew Boulton (1728-1809) and John Fothergill (1730- circa 1782) published in their Pattern Book No. 1 (page 171, figure t) and reproduced in Sir Nicholas Goodison's Ormolu: The Work of Matthew Boulton (New York, 1974, page 383, figure 161). Josiah Wedgwood (1730-1795) was a close friend of Boulton's and his patterns are thought to be the source for the medallions used on the plinths of these. Boulton's medallions of classical figures are almost identical to the cameos and intaglios made by Wedgwood and his partner James Tassie. Molds for these examples can be found in the Wedgwood Collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum. All derive from the same classical source of Renaissance gems. Many gem collections in Europe were widely published at this time and Boulton's library contained A. F. Gori's Museum Florentinum (1731-1766), in which gems from the Medici collection were engraved. The subjects of the medallions on this pair are: Pomona, a Roman goddess of fruit trees, gardens, and orchards, and depicted carrying a basket on her head overloaded with fruit, tumbling to the ground, shown once on each vase. Hygeia, once on each, with an olive branch in her right hand, as seen in Tassie's reproduction of Valerio Belli's gem, and holding a snake in her left hand over an altar. This was produced by Wedgwood both as an intaglio and as a cameo. Venus & Cupid, only on one vase, showing Venus leaning against a column with a pike, and giving a helmet to Cupid. Aesclepius, Greek GD of medicine, only on one vase, depicted with a snake wrapped around his staff .The last medallion subject is either Diomedes or Perseus, shown once on each vase, depicted as a conquering hero. Boulton asked patrons to choose from a limited repertoire of motifs, and therefore each vase or pair of vases is adorned with their own combination. Boulton used nine medallion subjects on recorded vases of this type. PROVENANCE & COMPS Another pair of this model, with slightly less elaborate lids and finials, from a private collection are illustrated in Goodison's Matthew Boulton: ORMOLU, (page 379, figure 153). A further example is in a private New York collection. This pair, which was acquired from Hotspur in 1981, was formerly in the Collection of Marjorie Wiggin Prescott, sold Christie’s, New York, 31 January 1981, lot 76. The Prescott Collection was one of the most important English furniture collections of its time. The sale consisted mostly of late 17th and 18th century English furniture...

An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique George III English sterling silver candlesticks made by Matthew Boulton; part of our Georgian ornamental silverware collection. T...