A PAIR OF REGENCY GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE COLZA OIL LAMPS

A PAIR OF REGENCY GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE COLZA OIL LAMPS

AFTER A DESIGN BY WILLIAM BULLOCK

of urn shape, one with a glass reservoir, the body applied with winged masks and Chimera type beast handles, on a waisted socle with bearded male masks, on scroll and palmette lion's paw feet, the undersides numbered (2)

30.8cm high, 23cm wide

Catalogue Note

William Bullock (1773-1849) was a sculptor, antiquarian, naturalist and traveller. He began as a goldsmith and jeweller. He founded a Museum of Natural Curiosities in Liverpool and in 1809 he moved his collection to London where it was housed at the Piccadilly Egyptian Hall. He took out a patent for his cassolette pattern in 1805 which takes inspiration from Thomas Hope's 'Household Furniture and Interior Decoration'.

A single black basalt urn of this design can be found in the British Museum.

A comparable pair of cassolettes were sold by Christie's, Important English Furniture, 6th April 2000, lot 1.