Lot Essay
Designed in the 'Antique' manner, popularised by the connoisseur, Thomas Hope's, Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, 1807, the vase shaped candle nozzle is embellished with a palmette band and supported by a golden bull on a bronze 'altar' pedestal bearing a bacchic mask.
The garlanded votive bull no doubt represents the Egyptian god Apis, who was associated with celestial fire. The 'Indian' bacchic mask, derived from Hope's publication featured in various productions by William Bullock (d.1840.) of the 'Bronze Figure Manufactory', Church Street, Liverpool, he opened his celebrated 'Egyptian Hall' in Picadilly London in 1812. He was the elder brother of the cabinet-maker George Bullock (d.1819.)
A related pair of seated sphinx candlesticks on pedestals with mounts in the style of William Bullock, were sold Matz & Pribell, New York, 11 June 1989, lot 111. These sticks were inscribed in the casting by the brass founder, George Penton of Holborn, London, PUBLISHED BY G PENTON JANY 1 1808.
The garlanded votive bull no doubt represents the Egyptian god Apis, who was associated with celestial fire. The 'Indian' bacchic mask, derived from Hope's publication featured in various productions by William Bullock (d.1840.) of the 'Bronze Figure Manufactory', Church Street, Liverpool, he opened his celebrated 'Egyptian Hall' in Picadilly London in 1812. He was the elder brother of the cabinet-maker George Bullock (d.1819.)
A related pair of seated sphinx candlesticks on pedestals with mounts in the style of William Bullock, were sold Matz & Pribell, New York, 11 June 1989, lot 111. These sticks were inscribed in the casting by the brass founder, George Penton of Holborn, London, PUBLISHED BY G PENTON JANY 1 1808.