A pair of gilt-bronze-mounted `Sèvres' style blue and gilt porcelain vases and covers Napoleon III, circa 1840-60

each of ovoid form the cover with a pine-cone finial above an egg-and-dart rim, the scrolled handles cast with vine leaves and grapes in the form of a coiled serpent issuing from a flowerhead, the lower section with a band of foliage, the trumpet foot with a band of laurel leaves on a socle decorated to simulate fluting and square base, the porcelain decorated with "fêtes galantes" medallions after Jean-Baptiste Greuze and Antoine Watteau on a navy blue ground with trelliswork enclosing flowerheads, with spurious interlaced L's

An unusual and elegant pair in overall very good original condition. Colours more vibrant with more contrast and the colour of the blue porcelain is less black and more royal blue and gilding more golden and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. The gilt-bronze-mounts are superbly cast with some minor surface dirt, which can easily be cleaned according to taste. Both flowerheads on one are detached from their stems and are loose but can easily be reattached. The vase on right in the catalogue photograph has a snake on the right missing a forked tongue and two snakes on the reverse of same vase have ungilded forked tongues. There is a very minor dent to the base of the cover of the other and a casting crack to the same, which is hardly noticeable. The forked tongue on one of snakes of same is slightly bent and one snake on reverse of same vase is missing its tongue. The detail to painting on the porcelain is superb.
"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."