Empire style porcelain and gilt bronze Napoleon vase

Empire style porcelain and gilt bronze Napoleon vase
French, late 19th Century
Height 67cm, width 28cm, depth 21cm

This Sevres style porcelain vase is beautifully painted to the centre of the vase body with an image of Napoleon Bonaparte on horseback. In the painting, Napoleon is depicted visiting his men, some of whom are wounded, in what appears to be a military camp. He is seen, leading a group of mounted soldiers, on a white horse, respectfully doffing his bicorne hat to his troops. The painting is signed ‘F. Amblet’. This oval painting is given an elaborate gilded decorative border, reminiscent of a giltwood frame. These beautiful gold foliate patterns continue onto the base of the vase, as well as the top, where we see a pair of griffins.

The vase is fitted with two gilt bronze handles, cast as double French imperial eagle heads, which spring from classical female masks, each wearing winged helmets. ‘M.re IMPle de Sevres’ is painted its base.

This antique Napoleonic vase is a unique object, being both a decorative piece and a history painting, and one which will add grandeur to an interior.