A pair of Loui XV vases – France, circa 1750

This art objects combine two traditions from countries that are very far from each other.

Indeed, Chinese blue porcelain from the Ch’ien Lung period was imported to France after a one year long travel by boat. It was embellished by Parisian artisans during the 18^th century with chased and gilded bronze mounts.

The mixing of porcelain imported by the Compagnie des Indes became a very lucrative business for Parisian merchant-mercers.

In this case, this ingenious innovation allowed them to use porcelain that was sometimes chipped during the trip, concealing its defects with bronze mounts.

For simple use or decorative purpose during the 17^th century, this art became much more elaborated and refined during the 18th century such as this beautiful pair of vases.

The gilded bronze mounts also allowed dealers (marchands-merciers) to modify the original function of porcelain by transforming their primary function: vases, ewers, inkwells, fountains, incense burners and “pot-pourris” for example, which currently adorn the most beautiful homes and museums.

This vases also illustrate the cover of volume II of the catalogue of the Wrightsman collection by F. J. B. Watson (Furniture, Gilt Bronzes, Carpets).