.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
This tazza was almost certainly acquired by Alexander Hamilton (1767-1852), Marquis of Douglas (1799-1819) and 10th Duke of Hamilton (1819-1852). It can be identified in the so-called ‘Russian Lists’, undated manuscripts containing four lists of objects written in French with a price beside in ‘Ro’, most probably indicating roubles. Three of the four lists are marked with a number which may possibly be that of the packing crate. Whilst Marquis of Douglas, Alexander Hamilton was Ambassador to Russia in 1807-8, based in St. Petersburg. His return date and its inclusion in the 'Russian Lists' indicate that the porphyry bowl was most likely assembled with its bronze Hercules support and base at some time prior to 1808. The casting and modelling of the bronze figure are unlike those of French bronzes and was probably made by a bronzier working in St. Petersburg at the time, such as the French immigrant Pyotr Petrovich Agis (1752-1828; also known as Pierre Agis), who cast bronze busts and statues for the tsar's court. The porphyry bowl was probably carved at Peterhof, the oldest Russian stone-cutting factory, just a few miles from St. Petersburg.
Alexander Hamilton was a passionate collector of mounted hardstone objets d’art. The highly precious and eclectic works of art described on the Russian lists - many of which have recently been identified – constitute a veritable princely schatzkammer of extraordinary importance and rarity. The ‘Russian Lists’ include a large number of hardstones, the most notable and the most costly being the 'Benitier de Charlemagne' or ‘Hamilton-Rothschild’ tazza, a Byzantine gold-mounted sardonyx tazza that Hamilton believed to be the holy water stoup of the Emperor Charlemagne, now in the National Museums of Scotland. Other important objects included 'La Cassolette de Lapis Lazuli monté en bronze' and the 'Aiguerre avec sa Jatte montée en Bronze et Soutennue par des amours' (illustrated below). both sold recently at Christie's, London.
The superlative collections ultimately gathered at Hamilton Palace by 1882 - as a result of both Hamilton's and his friend William Beckford's inheritances - led one commentator to describe it as 'One of the noblest residences in Europe.. and probably containing a greater collection of rare works of art than the abode of any man under the rank of sovereign..'. Christie's dispersal of the Hamilton Palace Collection was amongst the greatest auctions of furniture and works of art ever held. Christopher Beckett Denison bought a substantial number of lots in the auction, including the lapis tazza and agate ewer noted above (both subsequently bought at his sale in 1885 by the 5th Earl of Carysfort and latterly at Elton Hall, Cambridgeshire).
We would like to thank Bet McLeod for her assistance in the compilation of this note.
Alexander Hamilton was a passionate collector of mounted hardstone objets d’art. The highly precious and eclectic works of art described on the Russian lists - many of which have recently been identified – constitute a veritable princely schatzkammer of extraordinary importance and rarity. The ‘Russian Lists’ include a large number of hardstones, the most notable and the most costly being the 'Benitier de Charlemagne' or ‘Hamilton-Rothschild’ tazza, a Byzantine gold-mounted sardonyx tazza that Hamilton believed to be the holy water stoup of the Emperor Charlemagne, now in the National Museums of Scotland. Other important objects included 'La Cassolette de Lapis Lazuli monté en bronze' and the 'Aiguerre avec sa Jatte montée en Bronze et Soutennue par des amours' (illustrated below). both sold recently at Christie's, London.
The superlative collections ultimately gathered at Hamilton Palace by 1882 - as a result of both Hamilton's and his friend William Beckford's inheritances - led one commentator to describe it as 'One of the noblest residences in Europe.. and probably containing a greater collection of rare works of art than the abode of any man under the rank of sovereign..'. Christie's dispersal of the Hamilton Palace Collection was amongst the greatest auctions of furniture and works of art ever held. Christopher Beckett Denison bought a substantial number of lots in the auction, including the lapis tazza and agate ewer noted above (both subsequently bought at his sale in 1885 by the 5th Earl of Carysfort and latterly at Elton Hall, Cambridgeshire).
We would like to thank Bet McLeod for her assistance in the compilation of this note.