Antique French Sèvres-Style Porcelain Vases, Pair — Hand-Painted Gallant Courting Scenes, Gilt Bronze Mounts, Marked France, Late 19th C., 13¼" H

A beautiful and elegantly proportioned pair of French Sèvres-style porcelain vases, late 19th to early 20th century, each hand-painted with animated gallant courting scenes in the manner of Watteau and Fragonard, with gilt bronze mounts throughout.

THE PORCELAIN

Each vase features an elongated ovoid body on a slender pedestal and octagonal gilt bronze base. The body is hand-painted with a scene of a courting couple in 18th-century dress — the figures rendered with lively detail in soft pinks, blues, and yellows against a delicate landscape ground. The neck is decorated with flowing gilt acanthus scrollwork on a pale blue and white ground, with gold banding at the collar. The painting quality is notably fine, with well-executed facial expressions and costume detail consistent with skilled French porcelain decorators of the period.

THE MOUNTS

Gilt bronze (ormolu-style) mounts include scrolled acanthus twin handles at the shoulder, a beaded rope collar at the neck rim, a lotus-leaf knop at the base of the body, and an octagonal panelled base with laurel wreath border. The mounts complement the white ground porcelain with warm contrast.

MARKS & PROVENANCE

Both vases are marked with a blue painted maker's monogram inside the neck and on the underfoot. The bronze base is stamped "FRANCE" — confirming production after 1891 per the McKinley Tariff Act requirements for goods exported to the United States. French origin confirmed.

DETAILS

— Pair (2 vases), sold together

— Hand-painted gallant/fête galante scenes: courting couples in landscape

— In the manner of Watteau and Fragonard

— Gilt bronze mounts: twin scroll handles, beaded collar, lotus knop, panelled base

— Blue painted maker's monogram mark to interior neck and underfoot

— "FRANCE" stamp to bronze base

— Sèvres-style, French, late 19th to early 20th century, circa 1891–1910

— Country of origin: France

DIMENSIONS (each vase)

13¼" H × 4⅜" W

CONDITION

Good antique condition. Wear to gilt finish on bronze mounts consistent with age. Gentle wear to porcelain. Presents very well as a pair.

A versatile and decorative pair — ideal for a mantelpiece, console table, or flanking a mirror. Ships fully insured, carefully packed. Local Boston-area pickup welcome.