A pair of French Louis XVI style gilt-bronze mounted vert de maurin marble vases Paris, circa 1870

The form of the present lot is based on an 18^th century vase in the Louvre by Pierre Gouthière in serpentine marble, circa 1775. The Louvre example was originally in the collection of the Duc d'Aumont who was an avid collector of marbles which he commissioned from the best Italian craftsmen and then had mounted by the most celebrated Parisian bronziers. The Duc's vase is listed in his inventory as number 604 and is also described in detail in the catalogue of his sale in Paris in December 1782. It was purchased for 5000 livres by Julliot for the King. The model was copied in the 19th century by a number of bronziers including the firm of Beurdeley and Sormani.