A PAIR OF FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED LAC BURGAUTÉ PORCELAIN VASES

The black lacquer vase garniture has iridescent Chinese landscape vignettes, whose nacreous 'Burgau' inlay was titled 'lac burgauté' in the 19th century. Its decorative use on porcelain was adopted in China during the Ch'ing dynasty and in Japan during the Tokugawa (Edo) period. Another such garniture, with antique rather than picturesque rococo mounts, formerly in 'an important Private Collection', was sold Christie's New York, 20 April 2007 lot 48. Rococo mounts, attributed to the London workshops of the dealer Edward Holmes Baldock, also feature on related papier-mâché manufactured by Messrs. Jennens & Bettridge of London and Birmingham following their establishment of a patent for shell decoration in 1825 ('Treasures for Temple Newsam', Apollo, June 2004, p. 78). A pair of vases probably acquired by Isabella Shepherd, Marchioness of Hertford (d. 1834) for Temple Newsam House, Leeds were sold Christie's London, 15 April, 1999, lot 31.