A very rare and unusual pair of early George III Neo Classical Vases made in London in 1771 by Thomas Pitts I
A very rare and unusual pair of early George III Neo Classical Vases made in London in 1771 by Thomas Pitts I
374782
The vases are modelled in the very rare Classical "Balloon" form and in the early Neo Classical design which is more masculine in appearance than the later, more feminine, designs. Each piece stands on a circular pedestal foot decorated with bold gadrooning. The lower section of the main body displays a wide band of vertical fluting in sizes. The upper section displays crisp Classical laurel and berry garlands tied with ribbons. The very unusual loop side handles are attached to the main body with very unusual lion mask mouldings, some of the most detailed casts we have seen, even showing their teeth. The pull-off covers are slightly domed and are decorated with a gadrooned rim and fluting in sizes. Each terminates in a leaf capped stylised urn finial. The front of each piece is engraved with a contemporary Crest issuing from a Ducal Coronet. The Crest is that as used by the Hallet family of County Kent. The reverse displays a set of contemporary script initials. Both are in quite exceptional condition and are of a very fine gauge and weight.
Thomas Pitts I was a very fine silversmith who was apprentice to the famous Huguenot David Willaume which would account for the quality of his work in both design and production. He had workshops at 20, Air Street, in the fashionable district of St. James's when these vases were made. Pitts was to specialise in the production of the most beautiful epergnes, from the Ledgers of Parker and Wakelin, in the Victoria & Albert Museum, they were a prolific business with significant output.
Height: 7 inches, 17.5 cm.
Diameter, at their widest point: 3.1 inches, 7.75 cm.
Weight: 22oz, the pair.
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![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.marycooke.co.uk/british-silver-1760-1830/a-very-rare-and-unusual-pair-of-early-george-iii-neo-classical-vases-made-in-london-in-1771-by-thomas-pitts-i&media=https://seek-unique-co.s3.amazonaws.com/marycooke-8876-Qfhef-OE67/stock/63d413e0cf5bc_image_url_nh603.jpg&description=The vases are modelled in the very rare Classical "Balloon" form and in the early Neo Classical design which is more masculine in appearance than the later, more feminine, designs. Each piece stands on a circular pedestal foot decorated with bold gadrooning. The lower section of the main body displays a wide band of vertical fluting in sizes. The upper section displays crisp Classical laurel and berry garlands tied with ribbons. The very unusual loop side handles are attached to the main body with very unusual lion mask mouldings, some of the most detailed casts we have seen, even showing their teeth. The pull-off covers are slightly domed and are decorated with a gadrooned rim and fluting in sizes. Each terminates in a leaf capped stylised urn finial. The front of each piece is engraved with a contemporary Crest issuing from a Ducal Coronet. The Crest is that as used by the Hallet family of County Kent. The reverse displays a set of contemporary script initials. Both are in quite exceptional condition and are of a very fine gauge and weight.Thomas Pitts I was a very fine silversmith who was apprentice to the famous Huguenot David Willaume which would account for the quality of his work in both design and production. He had workshops at 20, Air Street, in the fashionable district of St. James's when these vases were made. Pitts was to specialise in the production of the most beautiful epergnes, from the Ledgers of Parker and Wakelin, in the Victoria & Albert Museum, they were a prolific business with significant output.Height: 7 inches, 17.5 cm.Diameter, at their widest point: 3.1 inches, 7.75 cm.Weight: 22oz, the pair.){kind=link}