Design drawing by Matthew Boulton, Pattern Books I and II, n.d.
A GEORGE III BLUE JOHN VASE BY MATTHEW BOULTON, English, circa 1775
Width (across the handles): 5 in; 13 cm
Diameter of blue john: 3¼ in; 8.5 cm
Note: The vase retains all the original mounts. The ball finial to the lid is missing.
The firm attribution to Matthew Boulton is based on the mounts, which are identical to a design by the company for a candle vase. In this instance the candle part and the ormolu stepped base have not been used. The solid blue john body has no other function and is purely decorative. The quality of the mounts, however, leaves no doubt about their maker, and the solid body makes this a very rare piece by Boulton & Fothergill’s Soho factory in Birmingham.
Provenance
Benjamin F. Edwards III, St. Louis, Missouri, USA;
Private collection, USA.
Literature
Matthew Boulton, Matthew Boulton Pattern Books I and II, n.d., p. 170, no. 859.
Nicholas Goodison, Matthew Boulton: Ormolu, 2002, p. 304, fig. 275; design drawing.
