Antique Meissen porcelain centrepiece vase

The white porcelain vase is set on a square plinth, which is parcel gilt and decorated with turquoise scrollwork. The vase stands on a central support, the base of which is encircled by sphinx sculptures. The various sections of this openwork support are finely parcel gilt and painted in turquoise with Greek key patterns, chains of paterae (circular motifs), and modelled foliage. The support is topped by a shallow bowl which is mounted with sculptural rams' heads, their spiralled horns draped with green swags. The bowl is dotted with small colourful flower paintings and its mouth is decorated with a parcel gilt turquoise egg-and-dart pattern. The bowl is covered by a domed lid, the base of which is edged with a parcel gilt pink Vitruvian scroll pattern. The dome of the lid is decorated with stylised parcel gilt pink and turquoise acanthus leaves, and is crowned by a similarly coloured leafy candlestick finial.

The vase bears the blue-painted crossed sabres mark of the Meissen Porcelain Factory.