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By Vulliamy & Son Of circular form, the domed top with ribbon-tied acorns and oak leaves, above four Greek masks, with upspringing lotus leaves, on a pinched socle and turned stepped base, the top handle broken and partly missing 51/4 in. (13 cm.) high; 61/2 in. (16.5 cm.) diam. PROVENANCE Supplied to John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford (1766-1839) and probably given by 1813 to his sister-in-law, Elizabeth, Marchioness of Bath (d. 1830), daughter of the 4th Viscount Torrington and wife of Thomas, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837) and by descent at Longleat. LITERATURE 1852 Inventory, Ante Library or Breakfast Room, 'Two Bronze and Marble Ditto [Vases]. 1852 Inventory, No. 65 Ante Library or Breakfast Room, 'Two Bronze and Marble Vases'. 1869 Inventory, Small Library, 'A lava tazza with masks and ornaments of ormolu'. 1896 Inventory (2nd Marquess' Heirlooms), 93 r Red Library, 'Green verde marble bowl and cover with ring handles, chased gilt ormolu mounts under glass shade - height 6 in.' M. Aldrich, 'The Marquess and the Decorator', Country Life, 7 December 1989, p. 163, fig. 4. NOTES This rare 'lava' urn has its domed lid wreathed by a garland of Jupiter's sacred oak from which are suspended ribbon-tied theatrical masks of Arcadian fauns. Similar Bacchanalian masks featured on the Duke of Bedford's celebrated Hadrianic vase, which he had acquired in 1800 as the centrepiece of his gallery of sculptures (H. Moses, A Collection of Antique Vases, Altars, Paterae, Tripods, Candelabra Sarcophagi, & c., London, 1814, pl. 35 and A. H. Smith, A Catalogue of Sculpture at Woburn Abbey, London, 1900, pp. 28-29, figs. 13-14).