Pair of porcelain and ormolu vases with hunting scenes

The vases are of classical amphora form, each with a large ovoid body, narrow cylindrical neck, and two handles, which rise to the level of the mouth.

The vases stand on circular ormolu (gilt bronze) bases, each set on four bracket feet. In the lower section, the bases are decorated with stylised foliage and flower wreaths, enclosing sculptural animal heads. The upper part of the bases are waisted, and ornamented with fluting and beading. Above, the porcelain vases stand on splayed feet, which are beautifully decorated with red and white classical motifs, set against a royal blue ground, and overlaid with fine gilt detailing. The ovoid bodies are similarly decorated, and feature large paintings contained within gilt cartouches. These are highly-detailed renderings of hunting scenes, showing men on horseback, accompanied by hounds, variously pursuing a stag, deer, boar and fox. These paintings are placed against parcel gilt royal blue backgrounds. The vases’ waisted necks are decorated with parcel gilt red and white panels, and they feature central paintings of quivers of arrows and hunting horns, contained within gilt cartouches. Each vase body is mounted with two ormolu handles, with floral terminals and scrolled leafy tops. The handles meet the vases' flared mouths. These are covered by domed lids, which are ornamented in a similar style to the bases, and topped by ormolu flower bud finials.

These vases are impressive pieces of decorative art, notable for their vibrancy and the exquisite detail of the painted scenes that decorate them.