A pair of Directoire ormolu-mounted blue Sèvres porcelain vases, the ormolu mounts attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) circa 1800

Both with chips to porcelain bases, one with more extensive than the other. One vase with chips to body, other with one chips and one restored chips to body where original pieces is glued in. Ormolu mounts with surface dirt, oxidation and some rubbing; should enhance with cleaning. In otherwise 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.
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 popularity of "vases Medicis" at the Sèvres manufactory is illustrated by the numerous variations of the model produced at the end of the eighteenth century mainly in beau bleu and hard paste. The most famous example is the monumental grand vase (1783) in the Louvre designed by Boizot for Louis XVI with ormolu mounts by the factory's bronzier Pierre-Philippe Thomire (D. Alcouffe et al., Gilt Bronzes in the Louvre, Dijon, 2004, pp. 218-222). Smaller versions of this were produced, closer in design to the pair of vases in this lot, the prototypes supplied to Louis XVI in 1787 signed and dated by Thomire (ibid., pp. 230-231).A number of plaster model of vases Medicis exist in the Sèvres manufactory. Designated "du Roi," "Boizot," "Lagrenée," "Leriche," the differences are often small but reflect different clients (T. Préaud, Sèvres, Des origines à nos jours, Fribourg, 1978, pp. 118-122 for further discussion).

A similar Sèvres vases à Têtes de Jupiter in the Louvre (c. 1798-1802) and another from 1804 in the Grand Trianon are illustrated T. Préaud, op.  cit., pp. 225 and 228. A pair of Sèvres vases of this model in a private collection, albeit with different ormolu frieze, is dated 1804 (an 12) and attributed to Thomire. Another pair with the frieze decorated with Neoclassical maidens and children with stepped marble base is illustrated G. Wannenes, Les Bronzes ornamentaux et les objets montés, Milan, 2004, p. 353.