Pair of Empire style ormolu and malachite vases

The Campaña (Campagna) vases stand on malachite plinths which meet the ground on splayed ormolu (gilt bronze) bases. Each plinth is decorated on its four sides with ormolu motifs from classical antiquity: lyres crossed with laurels and wreaths. The registers above the classical motifs are marked by friezes of ormolu foliage.

Each vase sits upon its plinth on an ormolu flared and fluted foot, the top of which features a gadrooned knop. The lower bodies, which are made of ormolu, are decorated with fluting, acanthus leaves, and include two short handles. The main malachite bodies of the vases feature bands of processional female followers of Bacchus, the god of wine and ecstasy. The upper registers of the vases flare outwards and are ringed by ormolu vines. The vases’ mouths are edged by ormolu egg-and-dart and beaded band. The malachite bodies are inset with removable metal liners.