CIRCA 1820-30, THE LACQUER 18TH CENTURY AND RE-USED

These sumptuous jardinieres reflect the French fashion adopted by marchand-merciers such as the London 'Chinaman' Edward Holmes Baldock (d.1846), who established his Hanway Street business trading in Sèvres about 1806. In character, they recall the pair of vases acquired by Isabella Shepheard, Marchioness of Hertford (d. 1834) for Temple Newsam House, Leeds (sold Christie's London, 15 April 1999, lot 31) and now returned to Temple Newsam. These were also probably supplied by Baldock, and their papier mâché panels in imitation of Japanese lacquer bore the brand of Messrs. Aaron Jennens and T.H. Bettridge (fl. 1815-1864) of the celebrated Birmingham manufactory. Jennens and Bettridge served as 'Japanners in Ordinary' to George IV, and opened their London showrooms in Halkin Street, Belgravia in 1837, while showrooms in Paris and New York followed two years later. In 1825 they took out a patent, devised by George Souter, for 'ornamenting papier mâché with pearl shell', and in the early 19th century their artist Joseph Booth was celebrated for his 'exquisite imitations of Chinese and Japanese ornament'.