A superb pair of Empire gilt and patinated bronze vases attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire, each with an everted rim and an elongated neck flanked by elongated handles with scrolled tops terminated by bearded mask heads, the ovoid body mounted with a central standing Classical female figure in diaphanous dress holding a laurel wreath in her left hand and a trumpet in her right, on a spreading circular foot and a square base Paris, date circa 1805-15 Height 49.5 cm. each. Provenance: Professor Guy Ledoux-Lebard, Paris. Although unsigned these vases can confidently attributed to the renowned fondeur-ciseleur Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843), who was responsible for creating models of this particular design. An identical pair of vases signed on the base: Thomire à Paris were included in the former Barillet Collection (sold Saumur-en-Auxois, 18-19th May 1986, lot 184). In addition a pair of identical vases was shown at the exhibition “Madame Récamier”, held at the Musée Historique de Lyon, December 1977-March 1978, (illustrated in the exhibition catalogue pp. 33-34, pl. VII). |