A pair of late George III patinated bronze and gilt-brass candlesticks, circa 1809

The present candlesticks are engraved 'LONDON / Published as the act directs / by B. VULLIAMY & SON / Dec 1st 1809' and are modelled after a well-known etching by the architect Charles Heathcote Tatham (d. 1842) representing the ‘Antique Chimière in basso relievo of white marble, a fragment from Rome’ in his Etchings of Ancient Ornamental Architecture drawn from the Originals in Rome and Other Parts of Italy during the years, 1794, 1795 and 1796, which was published in 1799-1800. Tatham’s influence was seen in the work of architects and designers alike, but perhaps most importantly, his patron Henry Holland, the architect to the Prince Regent at Carlton House and the Royal Pavillion, Brighton and his brother, Thomas Tatham, of the cabinet-makers firm Marsh and Tatham. The linear style of his etchings, which was later adopted by Thomas Hope, had widespread influence as his Etchings was reprinted in 1803 and 1810.

The Vulliamy firm was established by François Vulliamy (1712-97) in the mid-18^th century. François Vulliamy is believed to have left his native Switzerland in the 1730s and by 1743 had set up in partnership with Benjamin Gray, Watchmaker to the King. Following François Vulliamy’s death in 1797, his son Benjamin (d. 1819) took over the running of the business. He was later joined as partner by his son, Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy (1780-1854) in 1806 and between them,  the Vulliamys were responsible for producing some of the finest horological 'conceits', candelabra and ornamental metalwork in England in the 18^th and 19^th century, winning commissions from the Prince Regent and numerous other distinguished patrons.

A very similar pair was sold from the Fermor-Hesketh Collection at Christie’s London, 1 July 1988, lot 8, and were also signed ‘B. Vulliamy & Sons’ and dated ‘Dec 1st 1809’.