Provenance

On the evidence of the label marked 33, .1 can be identified in the 1826 porcelain inventory of Carlton House in the South Anti Room, Principal Floor: ‘No 33. An Oval shaped blue Seve Porcelain Vase and Cover similar to the last proceeding [sic], but having an ormolu base, on a Dove marble plinth – 15 ½ In. high’. .2 may also have been in the same room, numbered 32 in the inventory, but with a base and plinth differing from their present ones. The entry reads: ‘No 32. An Oval shaped blue seve Porcelain Vase and Cover, mounted in ormolu with scroll handles and pierced rims, ormolu stem, wreathed and leafed, on red mottled marble plinth and pedestal, with embossed pannel ornaments – 19 In. high’. As there is no other vase in the Royal Collection of the same shape as .1, which is fitted to a red griotte marble plinth and pedestal, the assumption is that at some later stage No.32 in the inventory was made to match No.33. A close comparison of the mounts on their bases reveals some telling differences. The chasing of the twisted ribbon and the panels of crossed myrtle branches enclosing roses are markedly coarser on .1 compared to those on .2. The explanation must be that the replacement marble and accompanying gilt bronze base of RCIN 35515.2 were exchanged in error at some stage after 1826 for the original marble and gilt bronze base of RCIN 35515.1.

Pierre-Philippe Thomire was the outstanding Parisian bronzeur and gilder of the early nineteenth century. He supplied finely chased mounts to leading Parisien ébénistes for furniture, clocks and the Sèvres porcelain factory. He was much patronised by Napoleon who made him Ciseleur de l'Empereur. His work represents some of the finest examples of Empire style.

In 1804 he acquired business of the marchand-mercier, Martin-Eloi Lignereux. The company employed a large workforce in a workshop at rue Boucherat and a showroom at rue Taitbout, from where Thomire retailed a large range of decorative objects inspired by antiquity including candelabra, extravagant centrepieces, clock cases and monumental Greek and Roman style urns and vases.

Thomire collaborated with three partners, renaming the business for a time Thomire, Duterme et Cie. The business suffered as a result of France's continuing European hostilities and to avoid bankruptcy the firm was granted dispensation to trade with the Prince Regent . Soon after 1815 the partnership with Duterme was dissolved and, under the old style, Thomire et Cie thrived once more under the restored Bourbons.

Thomire retired in 1823 and his two sons-in-law, Louis-Auguste-Cesar Carbonelle and André-Antoine Beauvisage, continued the business until 1852. Thomire continued to work as a sculptor and exhibited regularly at the Salon until 1834.