Pair of large antique Meissen porcelain pink-ground vases

Manufactured by one of the oldest porcelain manufactories in Europe, these Meissen porcelain vases are beautifully coloured in pastel shades, with a subtle pink ground forming the base for other tones.

Pink ground porcelain adorned with a gilt symmetrical pattern cantered by star detailing is spread throughout the whole surface of the vases. The inside rim to the top of the vases is adorned with further symmetrical patterns applied in gilt.

The front is painted with Rococo-style genre scenes. On the first vase, a male figure is leaning against a wooden cane in front of a seated lady holding a fan. A sweet, small dog is resting by her feet. The second vase too depicts a pair, the man serenading the seated female figure. All figures are dressed in typical 18th century garments and the scenes are set in a woodland filled with Classical ruins.

Below are painted vibrantly coloured bunches of flowers, each vase with a slightly different design.

The base of each vase is similarly designed to the rest of the piece, with a central white surface to the front and back. Each depicts painted flowers, the front with a more paired-down composition. The vases terminate with a thick, brightly gilded border.

On the reverse, vibrant floral compositions are painted inside identical rocaille white and gilt frames. Similarly, to the front of the vases, the floral compositions on each vase vary slightly. However, shades of deep blue, orange, yellow, purple, and green predominate.

All painted compositions are framed in a white and gilt border formed from flowing, flamboyant shapes, typical of the Rococo style.   

The pink ground among porcelain wares gained popularity in the mid-18th century when in 1757 chemist Jean Hellot invented the colour. Rose Pompadour as the colour is known was named after Madame de Pompadour, the mistress of King Louis XV but also a great supporter of the arts and the Sevres porcelain for who the delicate pink shade was originally invented. Soon after its invention, other porcelain manufactories utilized the shade in their pieces, with the pair of Meissen vases being a superb example of its application.

Both vases are marked to the base with the famous blue crossed sword mark.

These charming vases with flowing Rococo-style detailing can be stand-alone decorative objects or filled with bouquets of flowers, their composition complementing the painted designs on the vases.