Pair of Sèvres style jewelled porcelain and ormolu vases

This superb pair of jewelled porcelain vases have been executed in the style of the renowned French Sèvres porcelain manufactory.

Each vase is of baluster form, its surface covered in dark blue ground. The front cartouches depict charming Rococo style genre scenes of courting couples. Each scene is set in a woodland where figures dressed in typical 18th century garments occupy most of the paintings. The cartouches are framed in beautiful and elegant gilt borders. A raised white beading border has also been applied adding further textures to the pieces. The foliate gilt borders include red jewelled decoration, an unusual addition to pieces of this type, and a symbol of the high skill of the makers.

The cartouches on the reverse of the vases are expertly painted with natural scenes of birds amongst flowers and foliage. Various types of birds are depicted in shades of green, blue, yellow, and orange making the bright colours pop against the pure white porcelain background. Both cartouches are framed similarly to the two on the other side of the vases. Below, occupying the entire circumference of the vases is a delicate floral frieze framed by raised gilt borders, underneath which are further symmetrical gilt patterns.

Two sides of each vase are mounted with bearded masks ormolu mounts acting as handles. The masks play harmoniously with the ormolu edge placed on the lips of the vases.

The body of the vase stands on a waisted socle which leads to a deep blue base with intricate parcel gilt detailing.

The lids include further gilt detailing and are topped by a large and ornate ormolu pinecone finial acting as the handle. Its design too includes jewelled detailing and raised white beading. The vases stand on raised ormolu plinths cast with geometrical designs on all sides. Four identical acanthus leaf-shaped feet support the pieces.

The inside of one lid is marked ‘CC283’.

This pair of vases, their bodies decorated with intricate detailing, would make a superb addition to one’s interior space.