Pair of Sèvres style gilt bronze and jewelled porcelain vases

Pair of Sèvres style gilt bronze and jewelled porcelain vases
French, Late 19th Century
Height 46cm, width 21cm, depth 16cm
 
Made in the style of the famous Sèvres porcelain manufactory, this charming pair of vases depict figural as well as nature inspired scenes and are ornately adorned with ormolu mounts.
 
Both vases are of baluster form, their surfaces covered in a rich, dark blue ground creating a superb canvas for the shining gilt detailing. The two front cartouches are of similar design and depict Rococo style genre scenes set in a woodland. Painted in a pastel colour palette the paintings stand out against the vibrant blue porcelain. Each cartouche is framed in raised, white beaded border as well as delicately painted gilt detailing.
 
Twin ormolu handles cast in the shape of bearded masks are applied to two sides of each vase, acting as handles. Their design continues towards an ormolu border applied onto the lip of both vases, creating a cohesive design.
 
Jewelled detailing, an unusual feature, has been expertly applied to various parts of the porcelain vases. Red jewels delicately shimmer on the lids and the body of the pieces. The use of this technique is a testament to the pieces’ high quality.
 
The vases are surmounted by similarly decorated lids which are topped with a superbly cast pinecone finial enabling the user to lift them. The raised ormolu plinth supported on four acanthus leaf-shaped feet adds to the grandiose appearance of this magnificent pair.
 
The inside of one lid is marked ‘CC283’, most likely an inventory mark.
Decorated using an unusual technique and depicting charming genre and nature-inspired scenes, this pair of Sèvres style vases is a very desirable