CIRCA 1800

Details

A PAIR OF SWEDISH ORMOLU AND PORPHYRY ('RANNAS') VASES
CIRCA 1800
Each with a waisted neck cast with stiff-leaf and lotus, surmounted by a gadrooned rim and flanked by panelled vine-cast handles with lotus bases, above a circular perched foot and a stepped foliate-cast plinth, the lower part of the vases previously with a further ring mount
15¾ in. (40 cm.) high (2)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

These splendid vases are among the finest examples of Swedish ormolu-mounted porphyry from the earliest phase of production around 1785-1795. They relate to C.F. Sundvall's designs for porphyry vases, which were executed around 1788-1790, and to those by the Court ciseleur Fredrik Ludvig Rung of 1799 (H. Sundblom, Porfyr, Stockholm, 1985, p. 21). Various related porphyry items were intended as gifts by the King of Sweden, Maréchal Bernadotte, who reigned as Karl XIV Johann from 1818 to 1844. The King presented numerous porphyry objets to Napoléon's maréchaux and various other French dignitaries.

Porphyry was first discovered in Sweden at Älvdalen in 1731 but was not commercially exploited until after 1788 by Eric Hagström under the direction of Nile Adam Bielke. The works were purchased by Bernadotte in 1818 and stayed in Royal ownership until 1856.

More from Important European Furniture, Sculpture and Tapestries

View All