Object Description
Large antique French Sèvres style porcelain and gilt bronze vase
French, 19th Century
Overall dimensions: Height 157cm, width 60cm, depth 44cm
Vase: Height 141cm, width 60cm, depth 44cm
Base: Height 16cm, width 41cm, depth 41cm
This outstanding vase was expertly crafted by French makers in the 19th century. Inspired by the work of the renowned Sèvres porcelain manufactory, the piece stands out for its eye-catching design and high-quality finish.
Numerous scenes and motifs are painted on the navy ground porcelain. The front depicts a painting inspired by one created by Charles Joseph Natoire’s (French, 1700-1777) in around 1740. It depicts the allegory of fire, an image from Natoire’s ‘Four Elements’ collection of paintings. The vase displays a mirror reflection of the original painting. It is signed ‘LEBER’ in the bottom left after the renowned painter working at Sèvres.
Rich raised and applied gilt border frames the beautiful painting. Such ornamentation is an unusual and very desirable feature and is a testament to the high quality of the antique.
The reverse of the vase showcases a peaceful landscape scene filled with a lake and woodland imagery. Whereas the front is executed using vivid shades, the back is painted with paler colours, creating a masterful contrast of emotions surrounding the vase.
Of fluted and twisted shape, the neck and back feature an alternating colouring of white and navy with delicate gilt detailing. The lid is surmounted by an ormolu pinecone finial. Ormolu decoration is mounted in various places on the vase. The handles are cast with acanthus leaf details in addition to foliage garlands. The lid features lookalike Sèvres marks.
The vase stands on an elegant ormolu base mounted with several garlands, tassels and ribbons adding to the visual grandeur of the piece.
A carved wooden base supports the porcelain and ormolu pieces, adding another unusual feature to this antique piece. The wooden element includes the manufacturer’s sticker reading ‘MARSH, JONES, CRIBB & CO / (LATE KENDALL & CO.,)’ alongside the inventory number and workman’s name. The maker of the wooden base was an English firm of cabinetmakers operating during the Victorian period.