A rare pair of gilt-bronze vases and covers, possibly Russian Empire, early 19th century

each tapering ovoid urn with domed cover topped by grape finial and flanked by goat's head masks, the body with scantily clad dancing maenads, supported by winged putti, on rectangular stepped plinth with bowed ends embellished with eagle and garlands, on flattened ball feet 

D. Granin et. al., Risen from the ashes, Petrodvorets, Pushkin, Pavlovsk, St. Petersburg 1992, p. 354.

In overall good condition with the inevitable minor dents, marks, scratches and wear to the gilding consistent with age and use. The gilding partly refreshed. One garland ornament to the socle slightly loose. There is a small restoration to one of the putti's feet, another with small casting flaw to one foot. One wing to one putto reattached, both of his arms with small restoration to the shoulder joint. One vase with ornamental garland applied to upper rim with small break, the other with small loss and reattached. Both covers with small cut-out to the inner rim.
"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."

These vases are of identical model to those in the Palace of Pavlovsk, illustrated in situ in D. Granin et al., Risen from the Ashes, Petrodvorets, Pushkin, Pavlovsk, 1992, p.354. Two further pairs, although with different finials, were sold from Pavlovsk in the Soviet sales at Rudolph Lepke, "Kunstwerke aus den bestanden Leningrader Museen und Schlosser Eremitage, Palais Michailoff, Gatschina U.A.", Berlin, 6 November 1928, Lots 170-171. Both the pair still at Pavlovsk and those sold at Lepke are also executed entirely in gilt-bronze and may conceivably have been amongst the objets d'art bought by Paul I in Paris. However, in spite of the Russian embargo on French gilt-bronzes and clocks, the architect Andrei Voronikhin and the bronzier Frederick Bergenfeldt were strongly influenced by the work of the Parisian bronzier Claude Galle and it is certainly possible, therefore, that these vases may actually be of Russian manufacture.

Although there may have been others, Bergenfeldt's production as a bronzier working in Russia is perhaps the best documented. Born in 1768 in Westphalia, like so many German craftsmen, Bergenfeldt came to Russia to seek his fortune in the 1790s. He worked first in the atelier of the bronzier Yan Aoustin and then with Charles Dreyer. He then seems to have left St. Petersburg, possibly for Paris. He returned to Russia after the death of Paul I in 1801 and established his workshop on the Fontanka Embankment. His advertisements in the local newspapers announce the sale of all manner of bronze ornaments such as - 'vases, candelabras, cassolettes, girandoles, chandeliers, veilleuses etc. in the antique taste and of a quality equal to that of French bronzes'. He collaborated with Heinrich Gambs, supplying many of the gilt-bronzes for Gambs' furniture, but eventually disappeared from view. Towards the end of his life, he successfully petitioned the Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna for a position restoring and cleaning her bronzes. He died in poverty on May 17, 1822, leaving behind a large and destitute family.

An identical pair of this model was sold at Christie's London 6 July 2005  lot 195