Pair of large vases with mermaids

A pair of Louis XIV style baluster vases is an exceptional example of classical ornamentation in the taste of the 18th century. These vases, executed in violet brèche marble, have a richly veined, marbled texture, accentuated by finely chased bronze ornamentation and gilding in matt and burnished gold.

Their massive, balanced shapes are reminiscent of ancient urns, symbolising royal grandeur and opulence. Each vase is adorned with stylised mermaids, whose graceful female torsos metamorphose into coiled fish tails, their dynamism extending into fluid movements. The finely sculpted figures cling to the urn, forming the gilded handles of each vase.

The elegantly curved domed lids are topped with marble knobs. The acanthus ornaments around the top of each vase add further refinement, evoking the classical ornamentation that characterises the French Baroque era. These vases embody the perfect blend of noble materials and the artistry of the Louis XIV style, standing out for their imposing presence and sculptural beauty, worthy of the great decorative art collections of the 18th century.

French work in the Louis XIV style, circa 1860-1880.