Object Description
Large Austrian Neoclassical style porcelain vases by Royal Vienna
Austrian, Late 19th Century
Height 98cm, diameter 32cm
Crafted by the prestigious Royal Vienna Porcelain Manufactory, this exquisite pair of vases embodies the centuries-old tradition of European porcelain artistry.
Designed in an elegant baluster form, each vase features a deep navy ground, providing a striking backdrop for the finely hand-painted historical tableaux. The slender necks are adorned with delicate gilded patterns, further enhanced by ribbon-tied accents and raised gilded jewels, a particularly coveted element in high-quality porcelain. Matching porcelain lids, crowned with a pinecone finial, complete the sophisticated design, while the spreading socle bases mirror the decorative motifs of the necks.
The vases depict four significant historical events, masterfully reinterpreted from renowned artworks. One scene illustrates King Charles V liberating Christian slaves in Tunis, inspired by a 19th-century engraving by Nicaise de Keyser (Belgian, 1813-1887). Another portrays the Battle of Bouvines (1214), based on an 1827 painting by Horace Vernet (French, 1789-1863). A third panel brings to life Oliver Cromwell dissolving the Long Parliament, adapted from a 1782 print by Benjamin West (American, 1738-1820). The final scene, inspired by Jan Matejko’s (Polish, 1838-1893) 1866 painting ‘Rejtan’ (also known as ‘The Fall of Poland’), represents the first partition of Poland in 1773. The Austrian porcelain artists have reimagined these compositions with richer, more luminous colours, infusing the scenes with energy while softening their dramatic intensity.
Supporting these vases are ornate porcelain plinths, decorated with oval cartouches featuring additional painted vignettes. The undersides of the lids are inscribed with the corresponding scene titles. These include: Der letzte Reichstag zu Warschau (The last parliament in Warsaw), Karl V als Befreier der christlichen Sklaven in Tunis (Charles V as liberator of the Christian slaves in Tunis), Cromwell verhindert die Verfolgung des Waldenser (Cromwell prevents the persecution of the Waldensians), Bataille de Bouvines (Battle of Bouvines).
Each piece bears the blue ‘FD/ VIENNA / AUSTRIA’ mark for Franz Dörfl and the paintings are also signed ‘F.Dörfl’.
With their grand proportions, historical depth, and remarkable artistic execution, this pair of vases is an extraordinary acquisition for any collector of fine European porcelain.