A pair of gilt-bronze-mounted Sèvres porcelain pot pourri vases and covers in Louis XVI style

each with a domed cover and foliate finial, above a guilloche cast neck with scrolled handles, on a gadrooned and leaf-cast socle on a square base with inverted corners, the porcelain painted with wreaths enclosing roses on a turquoise blue ground; one cover broken

Sold as lot 32, Christie's, London, 17th June 1987 (£17,600).

Colour of porcelain slightly darker overall with much more contrast of colours and more vibrant and gilding more golden and less greenish and more attractive than in the photo. The gilt-bronze collar of one has not been put back properly and is a little crooked but it can easily be reaffixed. The porcelain is probably late18th century. Some very minor tarnishing to the gilt-bronze but this is not too noticeable. One cover now restored so it is no longer broken as stated in the catalogue and has been well executed and is hardly noticeable. In overall very good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A pair of identically mounted vases, part of a garniture, formerly in the collection of Madame Jules Fribourg is illustrated by S. Eriksen, Early Neo-Classicism in France, 1974, fig. 242 and discussed p. 363. An identical set was in the Erich von Goldschmidt-Rothschild sale, held in Berlin on 23rd March 1931 (lot 206).

The roses in the reserves derive from the Rococo tradition according to Eriksen op. cit., p. 363 but the bay-leaf wreaths `reflect the cautious approach to the new style that prevailed at the Sèvres factory. The mounts though were already in the full-blown neo-classical style.' An identical set to the aforementioned was in the Lord Harrowby collection at Sandon Hall, Stafford.

Various examples have been sold at auction some with an apple green ground. A very similar pair was sold as lot 13, Christie's, London, 5th July 1984.