Vase à monter, c.1782-87 (hard-paste porcelain, dark blue ground and gilt bronze)

1 41.2 x 23.5 x 13.4, 2 41.0 x 23.7 x 13.6 cm The vases, in the form of a pair of ewers, are essentially a visual conceit as they are entirely non-functional. The plain dark blue ground sets off to advantage the finely chased neo-classical gilt bronze mounts. This combination was consistent with the contemporary fashion for furniture combining simple figured woods, such as mahogany, with rich gilt bronze mounts. These vases were commissioned from the manufactory by the marchand mercier (dealer/decorator) Dominique Daguerre. The bespoke mounts, probably supplied by the manufactory’s accredited supplier Jean-Claude-Thomas Duplessis fils (c.1730-83), can also be found on other types of ornamental vases.