Matthew Boulton Old Sheffield Plate Epergne

first quarter 19th century, Birmingham, of elongated octagonal form, with reed-and-vintage banding, acanthus crested flat-column legs and barrel feet, joined by a wirework stretcher centering a detachable acanthus bud finial and supporting four scrolling arms, fitted with one large and four smaller later diamond-pattern cut glass dishes with scalloped fan-cut edges.
h. 11-1/2", l. 16", w. 16"

Scattered bleeding to the copper layer at the highest points of relief, most notable at the edges of the legs, feet and finial. The finial is dented slightly out of true. The nuts (one a replacement) which secure the arms to the frame are stripped and need replacing; the arms do not sit firmly in their sockets. Lead solder repairs where the legs meet the stretcher. Marked on the stretcher with the Boulton "double sun" mark. Later glass liners in very good condition, with minor scattered frits but no cracks or breaks noted.