A pair of George III ormolu mounted blue john and statuary marble cleopatra candle vases by Matthew Boulton.



Note: The ormolu has survived in remarkable condition, making these vases virtually original and untouched.



Boulton & Fothergill produced various combinations of Cleopatra vases in their Soho manufactory in Birmingham. Virtually all of them have blue john vase bodies, but various materials are used for the square pedestals on which the vases are mounted: ormolu, blue john and various simulated semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli and aventurine are all known. This is so far the only known recorded example with statuary marble bases.