An Important Pair Of Vases In Red Levanto Marble And Fire-gilded Bronze

France, reign of Charles X, circa 1825–1830

An imposing pair of baluster vases in red Levanto marble, with lively white and gray veining, richly mounted with high-quality fire-gilded bronze. The ovoid body, with a softly sinuous profile, is defined at the top by a twisted collar and a beaded band, and tapers toward a baluster shaft resting on a quadrangular marble plinth. The handles consist of figures of youthful satyrs in the round, modeled with confident anatomical skill, clinging to the neck of the vase as they lift the flame-shaped lid—a Dionysian attribute par excellence—with outstretched arms. The body is further adorned with festoons and garlands of oak and laurel in finely chiseled bronze, which descend softly from the waist, while the base of the baluster is embellished with acanthus leaves. The circular bronze pedestal bears a palmette decoration. The lid, connected to the upper rim by an ovoline frieze, culminates in a naturalistic flame with multiple tongues. The exceptionally high quality of the fire gilding, the precision of the design, and the refinement of the chiseling are characteristic of the finest Parisian workshops active in the first quarter of the 19th century, in a style that bridges the Empire tradition and the emerging Restoration–Charles X style.