A PAIR OF SEVRES ORMOLU-MOUNTED PURPLE-GROUND VASES 1822

each reserved on the front of the slender tapering body with a gilt-edged chamfered rectangular panel painted against a brown background with either a ribboned torch device or a harp and on the reverse with a lozenge-shaped panel painted with a torch device above a border of stiff leaves and stylised flower stems, mounted on either side with a flat upright scroll handle terminating in a palmette, printed fleur-de-lis Sevres 22 within interlaced L's mark in grey, painter's mark FB for François-Hubert Barbin and numeral 22 painted in gilding.

Please note that the porcelain has not been examined beneath the mounts. Vases are generally in good condition. There is some very occasional, very minor light scratch marks to the purple ground and a bit of rubbing to the gilt border of two of the cartouches.
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 present vases are entered in the Sèvres sales records of June 13, 1823 as "2 purple-ground spindle vases of the second size, panels with colored attributes and ornaments, the handles and garniture of bronze, the pair 620 francs reduced to 600 francs" (Sèvres Manufactory Archives, Vv1, 199-9). They also appear on the valuation sheet of the same date: "2 spindle vases of the second size red muffle Decoration of ornaments with scraped... (?)...attributes and panels having the effect of burnished gold and...(?)... burnished flat handles base in bronze" (box PB5, n° 199-9).

François-Hubert Barbin was a painter of ornaments, active at Sèvres from 1815 to 1848.