A PAIR OF PATINATED BRONZE ALHAMBRA VASES

The design of these vases was inspired by medieval Spanish Nasrid, or so-called Alhambra, vases. The amphora-like Alhambra design dates from the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries and, while examples have been found in other areas of the Mediterranean, they are usually associated with southern Spain. Their purpose seems to have been purely decorative, and their large wing-like handles serve simply to provide greater surface for decoration. An identical pair of these vases, with one stamped by Tiffany Studios, sold Christie's, New York, 20 April 2006, lot 42 ($19,200).