Kent is remembered as the designer of the interiors of Houghton Hall, the estate at Chiswick House and the royal barge for Frederick, Prince of Wales.
His drawing, which was engraved by John Vardy, is closely reflected in the vases’ overall form, foot and rim detail. The handle detail is identical. No other Chelsea vase forms are known to relate so closely to Kent’s designs, and this pair is available for £20,000.
Running from June 4-25 at Albert Amor in St James’s, the show completes the gallery’s series of four covering a private collection of Gold Anchor-period Chelsea (ATG No 2385). The latest catalogue includes a number of blue ground pieces, such as the ones in question.
“It was always the hope of the collector that this series of exhibitions would promote renewed interest in this, until recently, rather neglected period of Chelsea production and I am certain that this has been the case, not only from the reaction to our pieces but also from results at auction and elsewhere,” dealer Mark Law writes.
Objects are available from £600 to more than £100,000.
