PAUL STORR. A very rare & unusual George IV Oinochoe form Ewer, of unusual size. Made in London in 1822 by Paul Storr.
PAUL STORR. A very rare & unusual George IV Oinochoe form Ewer, of unusual size. Made in London in 1822 by Paul Storr.
375627
This wonderful Ewer is of Oinochoe form. The plain ovoid body is above a finely chased calyx of alernate acanthus and plam leaves. The circular speading pedestal foot is decoarted with a cast band of flowers, leaves and scrolls upon a matted ground. The refoil shaped top, with a tongue border set with three small shells at each indentation. The high looped scroll handle issuing at the lowere end from a Classical male head, probably that of Bacchus. The upper section of the handle is leaf capped and descends into a fluted scroll clasp above a finely chased shell, flanked by scrolls. This piece was sold at Sotheby's in New York on 26th April, 2008, lot 258 and sold for $15,000. This piece is in exceptional condition and there are no signs of erasure on the plain part of the body.
It was certainly not unusual for Storr to take inspiration from ancient classical forms. He had worked closely with many great designers such as John Flaxman, William Theed and Edward Hodges Baily who popularized ancient Greek and Roman forms. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has several ancient bronze Oinochoes, including one from Etruria, 5th century BC, that is of very similar form to this jug. The use of original spacers or insulators in the handle suggest such a jug may have had the dual purpose for serving wine either chilled or mulled. The main part of the handle bears part marks, as is normal when divided by spacers, verifying this construction is absolutely contemporary with the piece.
Height to the rim: 8.1 inches, 20.25 cm.
Height to the top of the handle: 9.6 inches, 24 cm.
Length, handle to spout: 6.1 inches, 15.25 cm.
Weight: 22oz.
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