CIRCA 1740

Deliberately decorated to resemble the finest and most expensive 17th century Japanese lacquer, the use of both Japanese and European lacquered magot figures reflects arguably one of the most sophisticated phases of the 'got Chinois'. Traditionally, these European lacquered figures, often of bronze, have been associated almost exclusively with the Martin dynasty, both as a result of contemporary documentary references - such as the 1753 reference in the Inventory of the comtesse de Mailly -, as well as the fact that they were granted a Royal Patent to protect the vernis technique which they had invented. This latter patent was further enhanced in 1744 by a renewed one for lacquer wares en relief dans le got du Japon et de la Chine, and by 1748 they had opened the manufacture Royale de vernis de la chine. C. Sargentson in Merchants and Luxury Markets: The Marchands-Merciers of Eighteenth Century Paris, London, 1996, however, has convincingly argued that there must have been a number of unknown craftsmen supplying such figures to the marchands-merciers, and indeed Parisian almanachs of the period often list several specialists in 'vernis'.

Two extremely closely related pairs of candlesticks, originally in the collection of the Royal House of Savoy at the Palazzo Reale, Turin, are thought to have been placed in the Chinese cabinet designed by Filippo Juvarra (H. Honor, Chinoiserie, The Vision of Cathay, 1962, London, p.122). These latter candlesticks, although unembellished with porcelain flowerheads, display identical drip-pans and nozzles on one pair and the same distinctive conical hats on the other. They were sold from the collection of Thelma Chrysler Foy, Parke-Bernet, New York, 22-23 May 1959, lots 666-667. A further related pair, whose branches are likewise enriched with porcelain flowerheads, was sold from the collection of Ren Fribourg, Sotheby's London, Part I, 28 June 1963, lot 155.