An assembled Louis XVI ormolu-mounted Sèvres apple-green porcelain garniture circa 1770

comprising a pair of small baluster-shaped vases flanked by ormolu handles linked by drapery swags and fitted with ormolu lids, together with a larger vase of tapered cylindrical form, the sides fitted with lions' masks, with pierced ormolu neck and slightly domed ormolu-mounted porcelain lid centered by a pinecone finial; each raised on an ormolu socle.  3 pieces.

An attractive assembled group in overall good,usable, restored condition. Each of the small baluster vases has old repairs and have been sprayed; the larger vase is in good condition, there is one tiny rim chip, the lid has old repair and has been sprayed.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Vases à monter are first mentioned in the 1764 glaze kiln records at the Sèvres porcelain manufactory and are listed in existing style that year. Such vases are also referred to as gobelets à monter and vases gobelets. Made to be fitted with ormolu mounts, these were generally provided by the dealers who purchased them. The principal buyers were Dulac, Poirier, Daguerre, Madame Lair and Bazin as well as Duplessis fils. They ranged in price from 18 to 120 livres.

The first mention of mounted vases was in 1767, when two green vases sold for 42 livres each. There being no detailed descriptions, this model cannot be identified. The next mention of vases à monter is in 1770 and between this date and 1780 more than one hundred were sold.

Other examples of the same form as the vase with lion masks in this lot include one in the Wadsworth Atheneum, illustrated L. Roth, French Eighteenth Century Porcelain in the Wadsworth Atheneum, 2000, p. 156, n. 74 and another sold Sotheby's New York, 20 May 1989, lot 172. Both are decorated with reserves of pink roses on a bleu céleste ground.