Pair of large Sèvres style ormolu mounted jewelled porcelain vases

Crafted in the late 19th century in France, this superb pair of vases is decorated using numerous techniques and showcases various interesting illustrations.

Of baluster form, both vases are made from cobalt-blue ground porcelain. The fronts depict portrait busts of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette above scenes of courting couples near a lake surrounded by nature. The paintings of French royalty are surmounted by a gilt crown and surrounded by an ornate gilt and jewelled frame. The Rococo-style genre scenes are framed similarly. A pale colour palette is employed for all illustrations creating a delicate and refined feel to the pieces.

On the reverse, a plethora of floral and fruit illustrations are depicted in a similar colour palette as employed in the front. All are framed in gilt and jewelled borders. Below the illustrations is a band of white porcelain and gilt decoration. The shaped ormolu handles terminate in bearded Bacchus masks, above which hangs a garland of foliage.   

A gilt cobalt-blue ground porcelain lid tops both vases and is surmounted by a later ormolu pinecone finial. The vase bodies are supported on a spreading socle stand further decorated with gilt ornamentation. An elegantly decorated ormolu base topped by a beading border creates adds to the refined design.

Magnificently hand-crafted by French makers, this pair of vases celebrates the work of the famous Sèvres porcelain manufactory and would add a touch of grandeur to one’s interior décor scheme.

The inside of the lid is signed with an imitation of the Sèvres mark.

Portraying various scenes all around, this pair of vases would be suitable for various interior styles.