Pair of antique French ormolu and porcelain jugs

The jugs feature ovoid bodies with tall and slender necks which stand on stems and circular feet. They are set on shaped rectangular ormolu (gilt bronze) bases, and their feet are encircled by husk trails. The jugs’ feet are ‘bleu lapis’ (deep blue) in colour and are finely parcel gilt with chains of stylised foliage and flowers. Their stems are mounted with ormolu acanthus and stiff-leaf bands.

Oval paintings depicting groups of putti decorate the bodies of the jugs on both their fronts and reverses. These show putti swimming and fishing in a river, carrying sheaves of wheat, and dancing to music in the countryside. These paintings are set within gilt frames which are edged with gilt trefoil bands and offset against ‘bleu lapis’ grounds. The jugs’ shoulders are topped by ormolu stiff-leaf and reed-and-ribbon bands.

The tall cylindrical porcelain jug necks are coloured ‘bleu lapis’ and finely parcel gilt with stylised flowers. They are surmounted by ormolu spouts which are fluted and edged with foliage. Looping ormolu handles, shaped like fruiting leafy scrolled vines, connect the jugs’ bodies to their spouts.