A pair of gilt-bronze-mounted pot-pourri vases and covers Directoire, late 18th century

each with a pine cone finial above a guilloche cast rim and squared handles terminating in a lion mask with a tapering body and ribbed berried laurel socles and square base

Possibly the pair sold from the collection of Major-General Sir George Burns, Christie's House sale, North Mymms Park, 24th-25th September 1979, lot 43.
Partridge, London

In overall good conserved condition. Very minor tarnishing to the gilt-bronze with good quality casting.There is a vertical glaze flaw which occurred in the manufacturing process which has resulted in a pitted surface. One cover is restored.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The earliest vases that Sèvres produced for the purpose of mounting in gilt-bronze appear to have been glazed in solid ground colours. In 1765 or early 1766, Horace Walpole purchased on behalf of his friend John Chute of the Vyne, Hampshire, trois vases fond bleu montés en bronze for a cost of 152 livres each, which seems likely to be of the same ground colour as the present lot. A garniture of three vases with this ground colour was sold at Sotheby’s Paris, 10^th November 2009, lot 178.

See a group of similar pot-pourri vases with similar mounts formerly in the collection of Madam Jules Fribourg illustrated in Sven Eriksen, Early Neo-classicism in France, London, 1974, pl. 242.