Getty Museum

Pair of Lidded Vases

Date

about 1780–1785

Medium

Gilt bronze

Culture

French

Department

Decorative Arts

Institution

Getty Museum

The pair of lidded vases are made entirely of gilt bronze. The shape with a wide bowl and high neck is likely inspired by classical prototypes such as the volute krater. In this case, the high loop handles of the antique model have been replaced by distinctive female term-like figures, each playing a pair of horns and having a body that morphs into trailing vines curling along the surface of the vase. The lids are pierced and have foliate finials. These vases may have been designed with other elements, such as a clock and candelabra, with related ornamentation to form a garniture for a mantelpiece.

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