Mallett Autumn 2008
9/23/08
12:54 PM
Page 115
LONDON
MALLETT
NEW YORK
115
A CHARLES X BRASS INLAID GUÉRIDON A Charles X circular tilt-top guéridon, the rosewood top inlaid with brass banding and vines around a central floral cartouche, supported on a triangular concave stem on three splayed legs, inlaid with further brasswork and terminating in brass castors. France, circa 1820 Height: 283/4in (73cm) Diameter: 38in (96.5cm) F2I0416
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A PAIR OF REGENCY TWELVE LIGHT CHANDELIERS A pair of late Regency twelve light cut-glass chandeliers with ormolu mounts attributed to John Blades, the base is fashioned as a bowl from overlapping prism cut rods, the socles are foliate cut-glass hung with rule drops. The centre of the chandelier is a stylised fountain surmounted by a corona of shells and foliate ornament. Now electrified. England, circa 1830 Height: 50in (127cm) Width: 35in (89cm) A+
John Blades is first recorded in the London Guide for 1783 at Ludgate Hill, where he remained until his death in 1829. He achieved early success, being recognised as “Cut-glass manufacturer to His Majesty” in the record of his marriage in April 1789. The first recorded surviving pieces by Blades are two chandeliers for the courtroom of the Drapers Company. During the early 19th century, Blades expanded his business into the Middle Eastern market and India, furnishing lustres, candelabra and even an extraordinary green glass gothic tomb for the Nabob of Oudh. The shop in London expanded rapidly at the end of the Napeolonic Wars as Blades
developed new designs to compete with France in this luxury market. He employed the architect J.B. Papworth not only to design his showrooms, but also to design his suites of light fixtures, vases and even dessert services, in the Neo-Classical taste. Papworth was responsible for the introduction of long, oblong drops in 1822 which were described as being "full of prismatic beauty” by contemporary commentators. These drops can be seen hung from the pans and rings on this pair of chandeliers. After the death of Blades, the firm was taken over by Francis Jones and continued by his sons until 1857. The quality of the metalwork and crispness
of the glass cutting incorporated in new designs, enabled Blades to be at the forefront of glass manufacture and to be known at the time of his death as “the great glass man of Ludgate Hill”. L2I0078