A pair of Blue John potpourri urns - image-1

Lot 1156 Dα

A pair of Blue John potpourri urns

Auction 1117 - overview Cologne
16.11.2018, 16:30 - Selected Works of Art
Estimate: 8.000 € - 12.000 €

A pair of Blue John potpourri urns

Gilt metal-mounted English carved fluorite vases with berry finials on tripod supports terminating in six hoof feet resting on white marble inswept triangular plinths. Re-gilt, older restorations to both lids. H 38 cm.
Probably Soho Manufactory Birmingham, design attributed to Matthew Boulton, circa 1770 - 80.

In 1770s, Matthew Boulton (1728 - 1802) worked together with John Fothergrill to perfect the industrial production of gilt metal mountings after French designs. The results were so satisfactory Tsarina Catherine the Great even preferred their products to the French originals.