Lot Essay
The ormolu-enriched statuary marble 'casolette' or 'essence' vase has a tripod-pedestal with hollow-sided and pateraed plinth accompanying garlanded sphynx-monopodia, which derives from a pattern invented by the architect James Wyatt (d.1813). The 'krater'-shaped vase, with thyrsus-finialed and palm-fretted lid, has medallions suspended from a flowered ribbon-guilloche and acanthus-enriched handles. One bas-relief medallion depicts maidens sacrificing, while the others depict heroes and are inspired by ancient gems. That of Miles Greacus appears to derive from A. Gori's, Museum Florentium, 1732, vol. II, pl. LXIV, fig. II. With its companion it can also be found on Boulton's vase-pedestals, such as those acquired circa 1777 for Weston Park, Shropshire (N. Goodison, Ormolu: The Work of Matthew Boulton, London, 1974, figs. 155, 154, and 147).
A pair of vases of this pattern is at Temple Newsam House, Yorkshire while another pair was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 6 July 1967, lot 48 (Goodison, op.cit., figs. 157 and 158). A single marble vase was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 7 July 1994, lot 28, while a bluejohn version, acquired in Posnan, Poland was offered anonymously, in these Rooms, 4 July 1996, lot 208. The latter appears to correspond with a description of a vase sold at Messrs. Christie and Ansell's Great Room, lot 65 to Mr Nixon and described as 'An essence vase in radix amethisti and or moulu on a tripod £8', while lot 60 comprised 'One pair essence vases, in marble mounted in or moulu, supported by a tripod' which also sold to Mr Nixon, this time for £16.5.6.
A pair of vases of this pattern is at Temple Newsam House, Yorkshire while another pair was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 6 July 1967, lot 48 (Goodison, op.cit., figs. 157 and 158). A single marble vase was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 7 July 1994, lot 28, while a bluejohn version, acquired in Posnan, Poland was offered anonymously, in these Rooms, 4 July 1996, lot 208. The latter appears to correspond with a description of a vase sold at Messrs. Christie and Ansell's Great Room, lot 65 to Mr Nixon and described as 'An essence vase in radix amethisti and or moulu on a tripod £8', while lot 60 comprised 'One pair essence vases, in marble mounted in or moulu, supported by a tripod' which also sold to Mr Nixon, this time for £16.5.6.