Lot Essay
The stamp is that of Edward Holmes Baldock (d. 1845), listed in Hanway Street from 1808 as an 'ornamental China-Dealer' and 'Foreign China Furniture Warehouse[man]'. Dealing in 'Sevre, Dresden, Oriental and Antique Furniture', he was patronised by George IV and held appointments as 'Purveyor of China' to both William IV and Queen Victoria. He is famed for this decorative style of 'new or improved' furniture, since entitled 'Baldock Sevres'. He may have acquired some of his furniture from Paris through the dealer George Gunn and amongst the most celebrated patrons of 'Baldock Sevres' in the 1830s was the Earl of Lowther and the Duke of Buccleuch (see G. de Bellaigue, 'Edward Holmes Baldock', Connoisseur, Aug. and Sept. 1975; and S. Medlam, the Bettine, Lady Abingdon Collection, London, 1996, p. 33.