Lot 18
  • 18

A RARE PAIR OF CHELSEA ARTICHOKE TUREENS AND COVERS CIRCA 1755

Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 USD
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Description

  • height 6 1/4 in.
  • 15.9 cm
each naturalistically modelled with overlapping leaves, shaded in green and tipped in puce, a pecking finch forming the knop, red anchor marks. Some restoration to knops and the tips of several leaves.

Provenance

Sold, Christie's, London, March 18, 1985, lot 123
Earle Vandekar, London

Condition

There is restoration to the ends of two leaves protruding above the rim of one base, involving the entire end of one leaf and to small chips to the interior edge of the other leaf. The other base has two very minor 1/8-in. or less flat chips to the interior edge. There is some scratching to the enamels on the exterior of one base, mostly to one side, and some minor occasional similar small scratches to the other - not particularly disfiguring in either case. The base with the restored leaves also has three very minor short filled firing tears to the interior that just barely show through to the exterior. Both knops appear to have been cleanly off just beneath the body, apparently not involving the covers themselves, as there is no visible damage on the interiors; the tail of one birds is also restored. All the restoration is very well done and is not readily apparent.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Artichokes are mentioned the the 1755 Chelsea sale Catalogue, First Day's sale, Monday, March 10, lot 47: "Two fine artichoaks, second size", and the Fourteenth Day's sale, Tuesday, March 25, lot 107: "Two fine artichoaks".
A similar pair from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. James McGregor Stewart was sold at Sotheby's, London, November 11, 1973, lot 105; and a second pair was sold at Sotheby's, New York, December 9, 1986, lot 202.