.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Ormolu candlesticks by Matthew Boulton are rare, with only six identifiable designs surviving in his pattern books. Much more popular were silver-plated candlesticks which were produced in large numbers by Boulton and Fothergill. 'A pair of table candlesticks in or moulu' were bought in Boulton's sale at Christie's, 11 April 1771 (lot 9) by the Earl of Kerry, who also bought lot 48 'Two pair of table candlesticks in or moulu'. On the following day, Lord or Lady Melbourne bought another pair. Two pairs appear in Boulton's 16 May 1778 sale at Christie's, both of which were unsold. The present pair was probably originally part of a set of six as one is numbered 'V' on the various components, a number of which are typical of Boulton's workshop (N. Goodison, Matthew Boulton: Ormolu, London, 2002, pp. 182-185, 443, 446, 465 & 467, figs. 125, 127).
THE PROVENANCE
It is likely that this pair of candlesticks came from the Cholmondeley side of the family. General Cholmondeley (d. 1775) is recorded as a patron of Matthew Boulton, buying a vase in 1771, perfume burners and a boy clock in 1772. In Boulton's sale at Christie's, 11 April 1771, he bought 'A rich vase lined with silver, and branches for three candles standing on a square pedestal of radix amethysti and or moulu' (ibid., pp. 197, 409 & 446). Cholmondeley died without legitimate issue, so it is possible that his great nephew, the 1st Marquess of Cholmondeley (1749-1827) inherited these candlesticks.
THE PROVENANCE
It is likely that this pair of candlesticks came from the Cholmondeley side of the family. General Cholmondeley (d. 1775) is recorded as a patron of Matthew Boulton, buying a vase in 1771, perfume burners and a boy clock in 1772. In Boulton's sale at Christie's, 11 April 1771, he bought 'A rich vase lined with silver, and branches for three candles standing on a square pedestal of radix amethysti and or moulu' (ibid., pp. 197, 409 & 446). Cholmondeley died without legitimate issue, so it is possible that his great nephew, the 1st Marquess of Cholmondeley (1749-1827) inherited these candlesticks.