A PAIR OF GEORGE III SILVER SAUCE-BOATS FROM THE MARLBOROUGH SERVICE

The 'fine festooned' sauceboats from the Marlborough Service wered esigned at the height of the Neo-Classical style. They were originally commissioned as set of sixteen in 1768 and was subsequently added to in 1791 (J. Wakelin and W. Taylor, Gentleman's Ledgers, folio 7, 'His Grace the Duke of Marlborough'). The design for the present lot relates to a drawing attributed to John Yenn, the draughtsman of Sir William Chambers (1722-1796) (H. Young, Sir William Chambers, Architect to George III, Silver, Ormolu and Ceramics, London, 1997, p. 149-162). At the same time, Sir William was also working at Belnheim Palace and placed a large order with the silversmiths Parker and Wakelin, in fact the work was carried out by Sebastian and James Crespel and James Ansill and Stephen GIlbert on behalf of the firm. Chambers' connection to the order suggests that he supervised the making of this commission. Among the pieces made were 'fine festoon sauceboats' (op. cit. p. 152).

A set of six sauce-boats mark of Parker and Wakelin, 1768, also engraved inside with the crest of Spencer or Churchill, four with the Garter motto, sold, The Collection of Mr & Mrs Saul Steinberg, Sotheby's, New York, 26 May 2000, lot 103.