Pair Of Covered Vases In Cobalt Blue Sèvres Porcelain And Gilt Bronze, Late 19th Century

An important pair of covered Sèvres porcelain vases with a cobalt blue ground, richly decorated with hand-painted gallant scenes in the 18th-century style. The polychrome cartouches depict elegant figures in pastoral landscapes, rendered with great finesse and remarkable decorative flair. The neck is adorned with medallion portraits of emblematic figures from French history, such as Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette, reinforcing the royal and prestigious character of this piece. These finely executed portraits are in keeping with the tradition of historicist porcelain inspired by Sèvres. The whole is enhanced by a finely chased gilt-bronze mount, featuring large side handles decorated with scrolls and fantastical figures, as well as an elegant architectural foot. The lid is surmounted by a stylized gilt-bronze fruit, bringing balance and refinement to the silhouette.