Pair of antique ormolu-mounted marble vases by Raingo

This stunning pair of veined grey marble vases feature fine ormolu mounts wrought in the Empire style. Of an elegant size and identical in design, each features a short neck above an ovoid form body, which tapers at the base. The grey veining on the marble is particularly exceptional.

Mounting the vases are several gilt-bronze decorative elements. Surmounting the bodies are ormolu lids with floral and fluted decoration and a pine-cone-style finial. On each side of the vases are applied lion masks, which hold engraved ring-drop handles in their mouths. The lions sit within foliate half cartouches. The vases a raised on tiered circular bases with engraved geometric decoration.

The ormolu bases are signed ‘RAINGO’. The esteemed company Raingo Frères (French, founded 1823) is well-known for its Empire-style bronzes and furnishings, supplying several clocks and bronzes to Emperor Napoleon III and his wife Empress Eugenie during the 1860s.

With their timeless design, this pair of vases exemplify the refined Empire-style pieces emerging from France in the late 19^th century.