Pair of large French ormolu mounted glass vases

This large and impressive pair of vases is crafted from ormolu (gilt bronze) and glass. Each vase stands on a square profile ormolu base, the corners scalloped, the sides of which are decorated with moulded scrolling foliate forms. Upon each bases sits an ormolu fluted socle, the flutes partially inset with beads and the top and bottom of the socle detailed with foliate and egg-and-dart motifs. The socle of each vase supports a glass sphere, the surface of which is intricately faceted. From the top of each sphere springs a flared tulip form neck, gently fluted, delineated from the sphere by an ormolu beaded ring. The neck of each vase is surmounted by an ormolu mount with egg-and-dart decorative detailing.