A large Louis XVI style gilt-bronze and alabaster mounted Sèvres-style pink and cream ground porcelain vase centerpiece Paris, circa 1890

The gilt-bronze mounts are slightly loose in places and will need to be retightened. The foot has one hairline crack running through the two gilt-bronze collars and has former gilt-bronze decoration now mostly worn off. The alabaster base is dirty with scratches and chips in places. There are very minor oxidation points to gilt-bronze. The pearl banding wreath will need to be re-tightened to the vase. Similar to the base, the rest of the vase had gilt decoration, now mostly worn off. Please note that there is now a chip approximately 1 inch in diameter to the top of the porcelain foot beneath the gilt-bronze collar, which will be restored at Sotheby's expense.
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.

The design of the present pair of vases is based on an 18^th century Sèvres design probably by Jean-Claude Dulpessis, (op. 1745/8-74).  Sèvres made three shapes of this model, each in two sizes, shape A (circa 1764-1770(?)), shape B (circa 1779(?)-1782(?)) and shape C (circa 1780).  Between 1764 and 1765 the vases were referred to as vases 'grec à rosasses' and 'feston grec à rosettes' and in 1779 as vase 'greque rectifier'.

A pair of vases (shape A) was supplied to Versailles in December 1764.  Another vase (shape A) is in the Wallace Collection (C-272-5).  A three-vase garniture with gilt-bronze mounts (shape B) was bought by Bariatinsky for the comte and comtesse du Nord on June 25, 1782, costing 2,400 livres. One of these vases remains at Pavlovsk Palace and a pair of the smaller size is now in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

In the 19^th century, the model of the vase was reintroduced at Sèvres, firstly in 1852 and then in 1885, and possibly supplied to le Palais de Fontainebleau.  Besides Sèvres, other porcelain manufacturers made variations of the model in the 19^th century, including Mintons, making vases with and without handles, and replacing the foliate knop with a crown knop.  The present example, with its gilt-bronze handles, latticework cover, acorn knop and beaded collars is based on shape B, with slight differences.

For a further discussion of the model please see Rosalind Savill, The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Sèvres Porcelain, London: The Westerham Press, 1988, vol. I., pp. 254-259.