A PAIR OF SWEDISH NEOCLASSICAL ORMOLU MOUNTED PORPHYRY (BLYBERG) VASES AND COVERS circa 1830

With scattered minor chips and losses to porphyry at corners and edges; not extensive. Finial with some rubbing and oxidation, one finial detached. In 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.

These elegant vases relate to C.F. Sundvall's designs for porphyry vases, which were executed around 1788-1790, and to those by the Court ciseleur Fredrik Ludvig Rung of 1799 (H. Sundblom, Porfyr, Stockholm, 1985, p. 21). Various related porphyry items were intended as gifts by the King of Sweden, Maréchal Bernadotte, who reigned as Karl XIV Johann from 1818 to 1844, and whose family owned the porphyry mines. The King presented numerous porphyry objets to Napoleon's maréchaux and various other French dignitaries. A large number of these still remain in France, such as the vase given to Maréchal Gérard, which was offered at Christie's Monaco, July 2, 1993, lot 235. Porphyry was first discovered in Sweden at Älvdalen in 1731 but was not commercially exploited until after 1788 by Eric Hagström under the direction of Nils Adam Bielke. The works were purchased by Bernadotte in 1818 and stayed in Royal ownership until 1856. Bernadotte used the production of  primarily Empire objects in porphyry and related granite to disseminate the Empire style that he had brought from France. Production largely ceased following the disastrous fire in 1869.