A pair of Sèvres pâte-sur-pâte vases and covers 1867

each decorated by Leopold-Jules-Joseph Gèly, signed L.Gely, in white and colored slip in Aesthetic movement style with a stylized crane and flamingo, the reverse with a large dragonfly or a butterfly, the sides with flower arrangements, affixed with female-head mask handles, green lozenge S 66 mark, crowned N 67 mark, with wooden bases. 6 pieces.

The Estate of John Barrymore (1882-1942), sold, C. B. Charles' Auction, Minneapolis, April 22-25th, 1974

One, Minneapolis Tribune, April 25, 1974, p. 7B

Both vases have possibly the bases polished and reduced. The finials of both covers have been broken off and restored back; the overspray extends to the whole surface of the covers and is possibly related to the finial-restoration. There are restorations on both handles of both vases to the horns and where the heads meet the vases, which extends to the tops of the heads. One vase has a very small flat chip to the interior of the upper rim and the other vase has restoration along the whole edge of the base, most likely covering small chips.
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.

In Reports on the Paris universal exposition published for the Illustrated London News, 1867, p. 408, Mr Leon Arnoux, comments: "..the principal feature in the Sèvres court is the great number of vases in that hard porcelain called pâte sur pâte. For the last 15 years the manufactory has chiefly directed its exertions on its production, and, thanks to Mr. Gely, they have been crowned with perfect success." Indeed Leopold-Jules-Joseph Gèly is credited by many, including his contemporaries, for developing and perfecting the technique of 'paste on paste' at the French national manufactory of Sèvres since the late 1840s. Bernard Bumpus, in Pâte-sur-Pâte, The Art of Ceramic Relief Decoration, 1849-1992, cites Marc Louis Solon's complimentary remarks on Gèly on p. 21: 'Gifted with an extraordinary skill of hand, he could chisel the porcelain paste with a surety and neatness of touch usually reserved to the treatment of precious metals..." Bumpus further notes that Gèly was awarded a second class medal for his work at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1855, where he was described as a 'sculpteur en pâte porcelanique', ibid. p. 21, whereas other well-known artists of this technique, such as Régnier or Choisalat were described simply as 'sculpteur'. 
Given the date of the vases and Arnoux's detailed reviews of pâte sur pâte vases at the Sèvres display in the Paris Universal Exposition in 1867, it is possible that the present vases were included in that exhibit.