A fine and rare George III paktong and steel fire grate circa 1775

Sotheby’s New York, October 21-22, 1999, lot 409

Overall good condition; appears to be clean with minor pitting in places to the paktong, and with some minor stains; some small dents to extremities.
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.

Paktong, or white copper, is an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc with a soft silver-colored hue which does not tarnish. It appears to have its origins in China, one of the earliest references to the metal occurring in The Great Historical Geographical Genealogical and Poetical Dictionary, published in 1688, which under the heading, 'Empire of China...Province of Chekiang.......they have a white kind of copper which is but a little dearer than common yellow copper'. In China it was used mainly for small items for domestic use and for fittings found on furniture such as handles and hinges. From the small number of pieces which have survived from the 18^th century, and the lack of official records, it is surmised that it was possibly only imported into England by individual members of the East India Company trading on their own account.

This scarcity obviously precluded its wide utilization in the manufacture of most domestic wares, and it is therefore interesting to note that its use was basically confined to two categories, namely candlesticks and to fire grates. For the latter it was obviously a most desirable metal, its close resemblance to silver and resistance to heat and tarnishing being eminently suitable for the purpose. Many of the surviving examples are, as seen in the present lot, designed in the neo-classical taste.  Although the alloy is not specifically mentioned in the drawings of Robert Adam depicting chimney-pieces, they are nevertheless found in houses designed by him. These include Osterley Park, Syon House, Saltram, and Nostell Priory.

Although designs for grates were included in many contemporary furniture pattern books such as the third edition of Thomas Chippendale's Director in 1762, there are few surviving references in manuscript documents which allows the attribution of them to a particular maker. The present grate is related to a design published I. Taylor in The Stove-Grate Makers Assistant, a Treasury of Original and Fashionable Designs for Bath Stoves, Pennsylvania Stoves, Single & Double Standard Grates , Fret &C by W. Glossop, Stove Grate Maker,  1771, pl. 22.

A group of very similar fire grates in paktong differing in the detail of their ornament and style of fire-back are recorded including one illustrated by W. D. John and Katherine Coombs, Paktong, Newport, 1970, p. 4, one sold Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, April 16-19 1947, lot 98, one sold Christie's, London, June 27, 1985, and another sold Sotheby's, New York, October 12, 2007, lot 204.

See:

W. D. John & Katherine Coombs, Paktong, Newport , 1970

Christopher Gilbert and Anthony Wells-Cole, The Fashionable Fire Place 1660-1840, Leeds, 1985

Keith Pinn, Paktong, The Chinese Alloy in Europe, Woodbridge, 1990