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Lot Essay
A pair of related 'high Mahogany Stands with cut rims' was supplied in 1741 to Ham House, Surrey by Peter Hasert (d. 1746) (P. Thornton, 'The Furnishing and Decoration of Ham House, Surrey', Furniture History, 1980, fig. 159). This model of torchere forms part of a closely related group that was almost certainly the product of the same workshop. This model has been prized by some of the great collectors of English furniture. Examples featured in the collections of Percival Griffiths (R. W. Symonds, English Furniture from Charles II to George II, London, 1929, fig. 197), J. S. Sykes, Noel Terry and in the case of this one, Samuel Messer.
Another torchere of this model was sold on behalf of the Michael Winch Will Trust, Boughton Monchelsea Place, Kent, Christie's South Kensington, 21 January 1998, lot 29. A near pair was sold anonymously, Christie's New York, 22 April 1999, lot 42 ($55,200) and single examples were sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 29 November 2001, lot 5 and 28 November 2002, lot 87.
SAMUEL MESSER
This torchere was formerly owned by Samuel Messer (d. 1991), who assembled one of the most oustanding and distinguished collections of English furniture, clocks and barometers since the last war. Advised by R.W. Symonds (d. 1958), the great furniture historian, the Messer Collection was essentially concentrated on the Chippendale period with particular attention being paid to untouched condition, original patination and fine quality of timber, combined with good proportions, an elegant line and a balanced use of crisply carved ornament. Many of the pieces in the collection came themselves from other distinguished collections, including those formed by Percival Griffiths, Fred Skull and J.S. Sykes.
Another torchere of this model was sold on behalf of the Michael Winch Will Trust, Boughton Monchelsea Place, Kent, Christie's South Kensington, 21 January 1998, lot 29. A near pair was sold anonymously, Christie's New York, 22 April 1999, lot 42 ($55,200) and single examples were sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 29 November 2001, lot 5 and 28 November 2002, lot 87.
SAMUEL MESSER
This torchere was formerly owned by Samuel Messer (d. 1991), who assembled one of the most oustanding and distinguished collections of English furniture, clocks and barometers since the last war. Advised by R.W. Symonds (d. 1958), the great furniture historian, the Messer Collection was essentially concentrated on the Chippendale period with particular attention being paid to untouched condition, original patination and fine quality of timber, combined with good proportions, an elegant line and a balanced use of crisply carved ornament. Many of the pieces in the collection came themselves from other distinguished collections, including those formed by Percival Griffiths, Fred Skull and J.S. Sykes.