Pair of rare silver-gilt mounted vernis Martin vases

The unusual vases in this pair feature bodies decorated with figurative scenes executed in vernis Martin and set with ornate mounts wrought from finely gilt silver.

The ovoid body of each vase is adorned in the round with a continuous scene of putti playing with garlands of flowers in an idyllic landscape, the manner of execution and genre of subject matter recalling the Baroque.

Each vase is mounted with superbly wrought silver-gilt features. Each is supported by a silver-gilt waisted socle above a circular foot, and each is mounted to the top with a silver-gilt flared neck. The silver of the socle and neck of each is finely embossed with foliate motifs. Most strikingly, each vase is mounted with twin handles, each looped handle intricately formed with an abundance of details, including fruit, flowers and leaves, and winged cherubim.

The pair is a highly unusual example of the Baroque taste in 19^th Century French decorative art. Moreover, the combination of vernis Martin and silver-gilt is especially rare.