Pair of ormolu mounted lapis lazuli vases by Barbedienne

This beautiful pair of Neoclassical style vases features lapis lazuli bodies and ormolu (gilt bronze) mounts by Ferdinand Barbedienne. The lapis lazuli veneer is a later, beneficial addition.

Each vase features an amphora-form lapis body, rising through a narrow neck to a flared ormolu-mounted rim, which is topped by a domed lapis lid. Each vase rests on a triform lapis base, which supports the three-leg stand that raises, via a waisted socle, the body of the vase. This ormolu stand, lifted by three paw feet, is richly detailed, its surface featuring palmettes and leopard-form masks. The shoulder of each vase is mounted with twin ormolu architecturally-formed scrolled handles, which reattach to the ormolu rim of the vase and culminate in flaring palmette terminals.

The ormolu throughout is superbly cast and finished, as expected of Barbedienne—whose work was as celebrated in his own day as it is in ours.