A FINE PAIR OF GILT-BRONZE-MOUNTED APPLE GREEN SÈVRES PORCELAIN POT-POURRI VASES AND COVERS, PROBABLY SUPPLIED BY THE MARCHAND-MERCIER JEAN DULACLOUIS XVI, CIRCA 1770 |

each of ovoid form, with a domed cover with berried finial and leaf cast border, above a pierced neck cast with guilloche enclosing a patera, the ovoid bodies festooned with vine and grape swags, with scrolled acanthus cast handles, the lower section cast with acanthus on a berried and lotus leaf cast socle within an oak leaf and acorn wreath, on a square base ; both covers restored ; minor chips and later gilt-bronze finial and rim of one cover

Sir Thomas Fermor-Hesketh, 8th Bt., later 1st Baron Hesketh (1881-1944) and thence by family descentSale Sotheby's, London, 7 december 2005, lot 218

Related literature
Svend Eriksen, Sèvres Porcelain, The James A. De Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor, London, 1968, p.79

Illustration is slightly too warm particularly to the gilding. As described in the catalogue the lids have been restored, it is an old restoration and the green color is different, due to the discoloration of the varnish. One lid with chips. One small piece of gilt bronze ornament is missing on the low part of one body. Gilt-bronze mounts in fairly good condition but with stains and wear. The pair will benefit a light cleaning and a restoration of the lids.
"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."

This magnificent pair of vases are a perfect example of the goût grec style popularised by marchand-merciers such as Dulac in the 1760 and 1770s. Whilst gilt-bronze-mounted vases in blue porcelain are more commonly found, apple green examples are much rarer. The unusual baluster shape of these vases is striking and enhanced by the elongated pierced gilt-bronze neck, acanthus entwined handles and vine and grape swags, the latter so typical of the neo-classical goût grec style.  Vases made specifically for mounting in ormolu are first recorded in the Sèvres factory on 13th July 1767, when two `Vases a Monter Verd plein'  were sold for 42 livres each to a unnamed dealer without mounts. Vases of this type are recorded for the second time in December 1768, when eight were given away as presents which were all violet in colour and five of them were mounted in ormolu and the value of the mounts was slightly higher than the value of the vases themselves. On 6th November 1770, two more `Vases à monter'  were sold to an unnamed dealer for 48 livres each, however their colour is not mentioned. Sales of these vases to  various marchand-merciers throughout the 1770s are recorded, although it is probable, according to Svend Eriksen, op. cit., p.232, that `vases à monter'  were included among the many vases of which no details are given in the sales records of the period.

The shape of the offered vases is highly unusual and as with other `vases à monter', it is not unlikely that these were intended to pass as genuine Chinese porcelain mounted in the European style. It is known that even the connoisseur Brongniart, the director of the Sèvres factory bought a pair of these vases described in the Monticourt sale in Paris in 1829 as `porcelaine de Chine' for the Musée Céramique, as examples of Chinese porcelain.     

A related pair of green Sèvres pot pourri vases and covers of similar squat baluster form and with swags of vine leaves and grapes was sold at Christie's, London, 2nd December 1998, lot 10. 

Jean Dulac (1704-1786):
There were three marchand-merciers named Dulac established in the rue St. Honoré between 1760 and 1790. However, it was probably Jean Dulac (1704-1786) who supplied these vases, as he is known to have supplied ornate gilt-bronze mounted Sèvres porcelain to the nobility including Madame du Barry and appears in the Sèvres sales register regularly from 1758-1776. He was appointed marchand privilégié du Roi  in 1753 and was a jeweller and perfumier by profession based in the rue St.  Honoré. 

Dulac was paricularly known for his vases-cloches and he acquired the majority of his production of the aforementioned model between 1772 and 1779. His vases were often conceived as amusing mechanical gifts for example, Dulac produced in 1767, a `pot pourri chinois auquel on a adapté un petit orgue qui lui sert de soubassement.'