A PAIR OF FRENCH ORMOLU-MOUNTED WHITE MARBLE 'DULAC' VASES

These impressive vases, with lion's mask handles joined by drapery swags on a base cast with Greek-key, are based on the celebrated model developed by the marchand Jean Dulac in the 1770's. With their bold 'à la Grecque' mounts and often incorporating the amusing device of pop-up candlearms, the 'vases Dulac' were popular among the sophisticated collectors of the day, with examples acquired by Mme du Barry, Horace Walpole and Prince Baryatinski for Grand Duke Paul's apartments at Pavlovsk.

A similar pair of vases after Dulac's model with blue-ground porcelain bodies were sold Pinto Collection, Christie’s Paris, 12 September 2017, Lot 78 (€ 10,620, including premium).