It is believed that the vases – two of only 13 of this type made by the factory – were bought by Louis XVI c.1778-79 and presented to his sister in law, the Comtesse d’Artois.
After the Revolution, they were aquired by the diplomat William Poyntz and later passed by inheritance to Poyntz’s daughter Georgina who, in 1755, had married John Spencer, later First Earl Spencer.
Offered with an estimate of £70,000-90,000, they made £120,000 (plus 25/20/12% buyer’s premium).
