Pair French Empire Bronze & Ormolu Medici Putti Vases on Grey Marble Plinths

Description

A Pair of French Empire Period Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Medici form Vases on Grey Marble Plinths, with neoclassical Putti Motifs. The pair of vases are constructed in the Medici form with flaring rims, cylindrical bodies, and rounded lower sections that taper into circular socles. The surfaces are executed in patinated bronze, with contrasting ormolu rims and decorative bands. The rims feature gilt leafwork in low relief, while the bodies are encircled by continuous ormolu friezes. Each vase is mounted on a square grey marble plinth with pronounced fossil inclusions, edged with ormolu beaded moldings. The ormolu bands depict neoclassical scenes of putti in procession. Several putti are shown playing musical instruments, including a harp, lyre, flute, and cymbals. Others are engaged in movement and gestures, one raising a bird, while groups of putti sit or recline beneath trees. The scenes are rendered in relief against a stippled ground, framed by plain upper and lower edges of the gilt bands. The figures are arranged in continuous narrative sequences, unifying the decoration around the circumference of the vases. The lower sections of the vases are fitted with gilt circular collars decorated with gadrooned detail, supporting the patinated socles. These rest on the marble plinths, which are square in section with chamfered edges and stepped bases. The plinths display natural grey and white veining with fossilized inclusions, giving variation in surface appearance. The combination of patinated bronze, gilded bronze, and marble follows the Empire tradition of pairing contrasting materials in symmetrical, neoclassical designs. France, Circa: 1810

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