.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The 'Cleopatra' vase, so called as the earliest model features medallions depicting the Egyptian queen, is among the earliest vases produced by Boulton, first referenced by him in 1770. A related design (with oval medallion and cap) appears in his Pattern Book I, p. 171. Several pairs of this pattern appear in the 1771 Christie's sale, six of which are described as ""on a square pedestal of a curious composition' which probably refers to the coloured glass simulating rare marbles, agate or aventurine, while four others were raised on a "square pedestal of artificial lapis lazuli" (N. Goodison, Matthew Boulton: Ormolu, London, 2002, p. 329). In most cases, the bowls are conceived in blue john, and in some cases bear lids. Other examples with ornamental glass bases include:
-A pair without lids - now at Soho House, City of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (exhibited with Mallett, 'The Age of Matthew Boulton', 2000, pp. 72-73)
-A pair with lids and bases simulating malachite and mounted with medallions is in a private collection and illustrated in N. Goodison, , ibid, p. 329, fig. 328
-A pair with lids and bases simulating bianco e nero marble sold anonymously; Christie's, London, 16 November 1995, lot 9 (£23,000) and now in a distinguished American collection (illustrated in N. Goodison, op. cit., p. 330, fig. 329)
-A pair with lids and bases apparently simulating blue hardstone (described as hardstone) and mounted with medallions sold by Eric Moller, Esq., Thorncombe Park, Surrey, Sotheby's, London, 18 November 1993, lot 98 (£43,300)
-A pair without lids and bases simulating agate and mounted with rosettes was sold Christie's London, 26 June 1986, lot 5 (£8,640)
-A pair with lids and bases possibly simulating agate was sold anonymously Christie's, London, 29 November 1979, lot 1
-A pair without lids - now at Soho House, City of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (exhibited with Mallett, 'The Age of Matthew Boulton', 2000, pp. 72-73)
-A pair with lids and bases simulating malachite and mounted with medallions is in a private collection and illustrated in N. Goodison, , ibid, p. 329, fig. 328
-A pair with lids and bases simulating bianco e nero marble sold anonymously; Christie's, London, 16 November 1995, lot 9 (£23,000) and now in a distinguished American collection (illustrated in N. Goodison, op. cit., p. 330, fig. 329)
-A pair with lids and bases apparently simulating blue hardstone (described as hardstone) and mounted with medallions sold by Eric Moller, Esq., Thorncombe Park, Surrey, Sotheby's, London, 18 November 1993, lot 98 (£43,300)
-A pair without lids and bases simulating agate and mounted with rosettes was sold Christie's London, 26 June 1986, lot 5 (£8,640)
-A pair with lids and bases possibly simulating agate was sold anonymously Christie's, London, 29 November 1979, lot 1