THE LUFFNESS CASTLE WINE CISTERN, English, circa 1775
Width: 30¾ in; 78 cm
Depth: 21¾ in; 55.5 cm
A George III brass mounted yew wood wine cistern attributed to Ince & Mayhew.
Note: The brass liner is of later date.
The attribution to the workshop of William Ince and John Mayhew is supported by the characteristic use of chevron veneered yew wood and the application of superior ormolu mounts produced in the workshop of Dominique Jean, who frequently supplied gilded brasswork to the company. The gadrooned brass border can also be found on many pieces associated with Ince & Mayhew, as can the paterae.
The firm occasionally also ordered mounts from Boulton & Fothergill, but only a very few commissions are known. Among them is the celebrated Duchess of Manchester cabinet, supplied by Ince & Mayhew in 1775.
Provenance
The Earls of Hopetoun, Luffness Castle, Scotland;
Hotspur Ltd., London, England;
Ronald Phillips Ltd., London, England;
Private collection, England;
Ronald Phillips Ltd., London, England;
Private collection, USA.