An exceptional, and very rare, pair of George III Cast Neo Classical Vases made in London in 1792 by William Holmes.
An exceptional, and very rare, pair of George III Cast Neo Classical Vases made in London in 1792 by William Holmes.
375201
These beautiful, and especially rare, vases are cast and stand on a square pedestal foot, decorated with acanthus spears and a band of laurel leaves. The vase shaped main bodies display very unusual raised floral garlands, tied with ribbons, as well as horizontal bands of scrolls and oval medallions. The lower section of the main body is also decorated with a wide band of acanthus spear motifs. The high domed hinged covers also display a wide section of acanthus decoration and terminate in an unusual cast foliate motif finial. Both the main body and the hinged cover are engraved with a contemporary Crest and the interiors are gilded. Both vases are in excellent condition, are of an exceptional weight, and are fully marked in the foot and on the cover.
The Crest is possibly a bear/lion's gamb holding a branch fructed. With variations in the engraving there are possibly two most likely family options. The Sherriff family of Bogbye, Warwicks. Their blazon identifies the gamb holding a branch of dates, the fruit in pods. Secondly, the Cowper family, who in 1706 were created Barons Cowper of Wingham, Kent and in 1718 Earls Cowper and Viscounts Fordwich of Kent. Their blazon identifies the gamb holding a cherry branch.
This type of vase are extremely rare and the work of William Holmes does not appear often, although he was an important exponent of the Neo-Classical style. If not directly designed by Adam or Wyatt, their form is strongly influenced by their design books. The design is so different from vases of this period, as they have hinged covers and display most unusual finials.
Height: 7.5 inches, 18.75 cm.
Diameter at the rim: 3.1 inches, 7.75 cm.
Weight: 31oz, the pair.
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