A Large Louis XV-Style Gilt Bronze Four-Light Figural Triton Candelabrum, after a design by Matthew Boulton, 19th century 30-3/4 x 14 inches (78.1 x 35.6 cm) This figure of the demigod Triton is most often seen as candlesticks produced in varying jasperware colors and basalt by Wedgwood. It was likely inspired by the Triton Fountain in Piazza Barberini, Rome, and can be traced to Sir William Chambers, architect to King George III. In a letter to his business partner in 1769, Josiah Wedgwood wrote that 'Mr. Chambers lent me the model of the triton candlestick and was to have had the first pair as a present...". In 1770 Wedgwood brought a figure of Triton to Matthew Boulton, though there is some indication that Chambers had lent his figure directly to Boulton previously, as described by Nicholas Goodison in his book (Matthew Boulton Ormolu, London, 2002, p. 84, fig. 46). In any case, a bronze figure of Triton can be attributed to Matthew Boulton's manufactory by 1771, when Christie's sold 'A tryton in dark bronz, holding branches for two candles in or moulu, on a bassment of the same neatly ornamentd' (A Catalogue of the Superb and Elegant Produce of Messrs Boulton and Fothergill's Ormolu Manufactory, at Soho in Staffordshire, Christie's London, 11-13 April 1771, Third Day, lot 28). The bronze belonging to Chambers later passed into the Tortolonia Collection in Rome and is now untraced, but a related example is in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago (1970.464 & 465). Boulton incorporated the Triton figure in a design for a candelabrum (cf. Nicholas Goodison, Ormolu: The Work of Matthew Boulton, 1974, pp.102-103). From ledgers, we know he made a pair of these in bronze to accompany the original model, as one was itemized in Boulton and Fothergill's sale as "A tryton in dark bronz, holding branches for two candles in or moulu, on a bassment of the neatly ornamentd" (A Catalogue of the Superb and Elegant produce of Messrs Boulton and Fothergill's Or moulu Manufactory, at Soho in Staffordshire, Christie's London, 11-13 April 1771, third day, lot 28). Further interpreters of this design included Josiah Wedgwood who manufactured examples in black basalt and jasperware which were promoted in Wedgwood and Bentley's 1773 pattern book. A related design for a candlestick is also illustrated in William Ince and John Mayhew's Universal System of Household Furniture, 1762, pl. LXVI. A near exact likeness of the Triton figure mounted to marble and dated to the late 18th century was sold at Christie's NY, Sale 20673, 5 April 2022, lot 4. Closely related pairs of candelabra to the offered lot include those with differing candle arms and rocaille bases sold Christie's New York, 12 October 1991, lot 11 and Christie's London 15 April, 1999, lot 13. A further pair sold anonymously, Tennants, at Aske Hall, Yorkshire, 20-22 September 1994, lot 794. A Further pair of Triton candelabra of the same design as the examples sold above, is recorded at Birr Caslte, Co. Offaly, Ireland, (see Hugh Montgommery-Massingberd and Christopher Simon Sykes, Great Houses of Ireland, 1999, p, 68). A further pair of related Triton candelabra is recorded at Birr Caslte, Co. Offaly, Ireland, (see Hugh Montgommery-Massingberd and Christopher Simon Sykes, Great Houses of Ireland, 1999, p, 68). Property from a Dallas Gentleman HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice