Pair of ormolu mounted porcelain vases with courtship scenes

These amphora form porcelain vases stand on square ormolu (gilt bronze) bases, with shaped sides and canted corners. These are decorated with stylised foliage and rosettes.

The porcelain vases stand on waisted stems, with flared feet. They are painted a deep blue colour, also known as ‘bleu Sèvres’, and finely gilt with scrolling foliate motifs. The feet and tops of the stems are encircled by ormolu twisted rope-work bands. The vases’ ovoid ‘bleu Sèvres’ bodies feature, on their fronts, paintings of young lovers, courting in woodland settings. They are contained within gilt frames, composed of curling vines, leaves and flowers. These paintings are signed, ‘J. Césana’. The backs of the vase bodies are painted with landscape scenes, within gilt wreaths.

Each vase is fitted with two ormolu handles, which terminate in classical masks. The vases’ waisted necks are decorated with gilt stylised foliage, flowers and classical trophy motifs, against a ‘bleu Sèvres’ ground. Their mouths are edged with ormolu egg-and-dart bands, and topped by domed porcelain lids. These deep blue lids are decorated with gilt cartouches enclosing flowers, and they are crowned by ormolu pinecone finials. The vases bear the marks of the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory on their lids and bases.