Object Description
Pair of large Chinese porcelain vases with French ormolu mounts
French, Chinese, c.1840
Height 65.5cm, width 32cm, depth 25cm
In the 1840s, two masterful art forms converged to birth this exquisite pair of vases, hewn from celadon porcelain, Chinese porcelain making and French gilding. They are testaments to the aristocratic practice where Oriental porcelain was enhanced with opulent gilt mounts.
These vases stand as tributes to the golden era of Chinese exports, a time when the West’s demand surged without compromising the authenticity of traditional Chinese artisanship. Their surfaces burst to life with detailed illustrations drawn from a mystical realm, marrying nature and mythology. Mythical birds, their feathers meticulously etched, take flight, inviting observers into a timeless world of folklore. Butterflies add a whimsical touch, and the elegant renderings of flowers and foliage craft a modern, airy ambiance around the avian tableau.
The vases’ aesthetics are amplified by the vibrant contrast between the green celadon porcelain and the decorations in hues of orange, white, blue, and red, an uncommon palette for the era’s porcelain.
The ormolu mounts frame the vases, with their handles embodying the heads of bacchantes, the mythical female devotees of Bacchus, the god of wine. This theme is expanded upon with exquisite grapevines adorning the neck, supporting the handles, a nod to the Chinese mythology resonating in the porcelain.
Both the lip and foot of each vase are adorned with ormolu mounts, showcasing intricate egg-and-dart and acanthus leaf patterns, respectively. These vases, coveted by collectors of French decorative arts and enthusiasts of Chinese porcelain alike, were auctioned at Sotheby’s Paris in 2008 for €372,250 (Sale PF8002, lot 122).
This pair is a magnificent decorative addition to any interior space, imbuing it with opulence and an unconventional and innovative element of tradition.