Pair of Empire porcelain vases of egg-shaped form modelled with soft-paste porcelain handles representing ‘Pheme’, the personification of fame and renown. Decorated with a dark blue (beau bleu) ground, an elaborate figural scene (mignature) on the front reserve and a gilded back reserve carefully tooled to create varied borders and patterns with subtle textures. The gilded surfaces of the the laurel swags and borders are burnished in imitation of gilt bronze. The paintings are depicting colourful medieval scenes, probably after illustrations of popular knight’s tales of the 19th century. Porcelain painters of 19th century France were particularly fond of copying genre scenes from previous centuries.
Condition: very good, minor wear consistent with age and use, minor fading of gold – detailed condition report on request
