CIRCA 1770, THE STEPPED SQUARE PLINTH POSSIBLY ASSOCIATED, THE PORCELAIN QIANLONG (1736-1795)

The quantity of ormolu-mounted Chinese and Japanese porcelain to be found in the Royal collection is largely due to the patronage of George, Prince of Wales (later George IV) and his circle. It is quite possible that George IV acquired this pair of covered vases from the marchand-mercier Edward Holmes Baldock (d. 1854), who also subsequently supplied both William IV (Purveyor of China, Eathenware and Glass) and Queen Victoria (Purveyor of China). Baldock is documented as purchasing a pair of Louis XVI ormolu-mounted Sèvres porcelain covered vases for George IV when they were sold by Lady Gwydir at Christie's, 21 May 1829, lot 54. A Régence ormolu-mounted Chinese aubergine-glazed porcelain covered pot-pourri vase also with the label of King George V, and from room 377 at Buckingham Palace, was sold by the Marquess of Cholmondeley, Works of Art from Houghton, Christie's London, 8 December 1994, lot 10.