2-798-963 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

China bird, and Japan sugar basket, 1845. Item from the collection of British critic, travel writer and slaveowner William Beckford, who was also an art collector and patron of works of decorative art. After he died, the collection at his home Lansdown Tower just outside Bath was put up for sale. 'The catalogue numbers some 650 lots, including gorgeous furniture, cabinets, paintings, antique gems, coins, agates, mosaic tables, sculpture, Etruscan vases, rare gold Japan, and what is described as "matchless china"...a China bird, perched upon the stump of a tree, with foliage and insects - rare; at the base is a precious Japan sugar-basket, with siver-gilt rim, and fall-down handle'. From "Illustrated London News", 1845, Vol VII.