MARK OF PHILIP RUNDELL, LONDON, 1820

Details

AN IMPORTANT SET OF FOUR GEORGE IV SILVER-GILT SUGAR VASES AND COVERS
Mark of Philip Rundell, London, 1820
Each vase form on a circular foot, with acanthus leaf border, the lower body part-fluted, the shoulder with a band of scrolling foliage enclosing rosettes against a matte ground, the incurved neck with a band of inverted flower head and acanthus leaves, the reeded handles with acanthus leaf joins, the slighty domed cover with bands of acanthus leaves and gadrooning beneath a band of rosettes, surmounted by a bud finial, the base engraved with a crest, each fully marked, also stamped on base RUNDELL BRIDGE ET RUNDELL AURIFICES REGIS LONDINI
8in. (20.4cm.) high; 106oz. 10dwt.(3327gr.) (4)

Lot Essay

The design of this set of sugar vases is attributed to celebrated sculptor John Flaxman, who used a variation of this urn in his monument for Sir Thomas Burrell in 1796. The design is based on a marble Roman funerary urn from the renowned antique sculpture collection of the 1st Marquess of Lansdowne. Flaxman became Rundell's most important designer around the time the firm became Royal Goldsmiths in 1804. The first known example of these vases was produced in 1805 by Scott and Smith for Rundell's. The design was popular with Rundell's patrons, and received the ultimate stamp of approval when the Prince Regent acquired a set of eight at a cost of GBP376 4s for Carlton House. These remain in the Royal collection of Windsor Castle today.

IMAGE CAPTION
Roman funerary urn, formerly in the Lansdowne Collection

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