A pair of George III gilt-bronze mounted Blue John candle vases by Matthew Boulton, circa 1775

each reverseable lid with an acanthus cast nozzle on a Blue John body lined with gilt-bronze, the exterior mounted with masks and elongated handles, with waisted and berried laurel stems on stepped plinths supported by ball feet

The design illustrated and discussed Nicholas Goodison, Matthew Boulton: Ormolu, London, rev. ed. 2002, p. 318-319

Overall they would benefit from a gentle clean and polish as the bronze is tarnishing in some areas. Some screws later replacements. One lid is a little tight and hard to fit. Minor old marks and scratches consistent with age and use.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Matthew Boulton (1728- 1809) and James Fothergill (d.1782) founded their extraordinary factory in Soho, Staffordshire in 1761. They produced an exemplary body of work illustrative of Boulton’s innovation as an engineer, entrepreneur and the level of patronage that he received. At the cutting edge of artistic endeavour, he was part of a circle which included luminaries such as Josiah Wedgwood, Robert Adam, Sir William Chambers and James Watt, all of whom who had great bearing on his work.

What is particularly exciting about the offered lot is that these are possibly unique in Boulton's oeuvre, certainly this form is very rare and has not apparently been seen.

Goodison writes (op. cit. p. 319) 'Eleven sketches remain unidentified [as realised objects, the offered lot being one of these fig. 309.1] ...It is possible that some of these vases were never made in precisely the forms shown in the sketches. Sketches were sent to potential customers to choose from, or even to choose components from'.

The original 18th century sketches which Goodison reproduces are extremely evocative, the level of detail is high and quality fine. These drawings come from a series of nine books, which date from the late 1760s onwards, although cut and then re-assembled in the 19th century, the first book, deals particularly with items in Ormoulu and it is this volume where the design for the offered lot is featured. These drawings were almost certainly used by factory workers at Boulton's Soho manufactury in Birmingham.