A rare and fine pair of Meissen 'Limoges-style' two-handled vases {Kratervasen] circa 1860-70

modelled by Ernst August Leueritz, each of 'Warwick Vase' form, painted, possibly after Thorwaldsen, with a continuous scene in white enamel on a dark blue ground, the first with a Bacchic scene of Nymphs and Satyrs, the sacrifice of a ram, the drunken figure of Silenus and the god Pan, the second with  a festive procession of putti and other figures including a chariot group, within gilt line bands, the double-headed serpent handles issuing from matt-gilt acanthus leaves, the spreading foot, collar and underside of the rim with fretwork, stiff leaves and palmettes in shades of blue and white

A vase painted with an identical Bacchic scene is illustrated by O.Walcha, Meissener Porzellan, pl.202. Another with the Procession is illustrated by H.Jedding, Meissener Porzellan des 19. und 20. Jahrhunderts, p.87, fig.90.

The form, modelled by Leuteritz, is also to be found illustrated by R.Röntgen, The Book of Meissen, p.206, fig.320 where the frieze is described as 'painting à la Limoges'. In this instance the painting is of 'The Procession of Alexander', after Thorwaldsen. H.Jedding, Der Königlich Sächsischen Porzellanmanufaktur Meissen (1910), p.94, figs.228 and 229, illustrates the two styles of Krater vase each painted with mythological scenes in either Limoges enamels or platinum, both probably after Thorwaldsen. Ernst August Leteritz was the chief artistic director and top modeller for Meissen from 1849-1886.

See also the two polychrome examples, sold in these Rooms, 2nd June 2005, lots 74 and 75 (£20,400 each).