Lot Essay
This design proved to be one of the most popular of Boulton and Fothergill's designs. It is first recorded in 1768 when Mrs. Yeates ordered 1 pair of goat's head vauses light blue cheny (china) or enamelled. Various pairs of these cassolettes were included in Boulton's sales at Christie's in 1771 and 1772, although not catalogued as 'goat's head vases' but rather as 'candle vases'. This model was still produced in 1782, when the stock list itemises seventeen vases. Boulton and Fothergill made these 'vases' in a wide assortment of bodies, the earlier versions often being addorned by medallions.
The design for these cassolettes most closely relates to sketches 161k and 163d, taken from Boulton and Fothergill's Pattern Book I, p. 171 and 170, respectively (N. Goodison, Ormolu: The Work of Matthew Boulton, London, 1974, pls. 161 and 163). The combination of the two demonstrates how the firm used components for various models.
These cassolettes are identical in design and construction to a pair illustrated in ibid., pl. 121 and dismantled pl. 119. A further cassolette is illustrated ibid., pl. 125.
A pair of cassolettes from the property of Mrs. A.E. Gell, was sold, Sotheby's London, 11 April, 1975, lot 40, and a further pair with ormolu bodies addorned with medallions, from the collection of Ann, Lady Rootes, was sold, in these Rooms, 22 May 1969, lot 26.
The design for these cassolettes most closely relates to sketches 161k and 163d, taken from Boulton and Fothergill's Pattern Book I, p. 171 and 170, respectively (N. Goodison, Ormolu: The Work of Matthew Boulton, London, 1974, pls. 161 and 163). The combination of the two demonstrates how the firm used components for various models.
These cassolettes are identical in design and construction to a pair illustrated in ibid., pl. 121 and dismantled pl. 119. A further cassolette is illustrated ibid., pl. 125.
A pair of cassolettes from the property of Mrs. A.E. Gell, was sold, Sotheby's London, 11 April, 1975, lot 40, and a further pair with ormolu bodies addorned with medallions, from the collection of Ann, Lady Rootes, was sold, in these Rooms, 22 May 1969, lot 26.