PAIR OF VASES. MARBLE, GILT BRONZE. FRANCE, CIRCA LATE 19TH CENTURY.

Pair of vases. Gilded bronze, veined marble. France, late 19th century Pair of centerpieces or vases that have an oval body carved in veined marble in pink tones (of a type very similar to one that was highly appreciated and often used in French school works during the Rococo of the 18th century) and some gilded marble highlights, creating a kind of tripod to hold and enhance the stone pieces. These are decorated with lion's claws on the legs, simple architectural moldings, flowers and female masks with plant elements, as well as a border that extends towards the interior area of the pieces creating three wings or handles, decorated with plant elements and architectural elements (volutes, flowers, bows, leaves, etc.) both outside and inside this area, leaving what would be the internal area of the marble pieces smooth. The classicist inspiration of the decorative elements of the couple is common in works of the French school since the 18th century. Some details (for example, the claws serving as finials on the legs) are seen in Louis XIV style centerpieces dated to that century, while other elements are more often seen in Louis XVI style works (one of the main elements of the Neoclassical style). There is knowledge of a pair of centerpieces very similar to these vases and a single piece (also a centerpiece) preserved in a private collection in the United States of America. Weight: 7.25kg.

· Size: 16x16x29 cms.