Antiquary & Expert CNES

This pair of painted sheet metal vases elegantly illustrates the neoclassical taste that pervaded the decorative arts of the first half of the 19th century. Their painted decoration depicts fantastical landscapes inspired by Antiquity: architecture, columns, ruins, and small figures unfold against a warm background, in a spirit that is both poetic and scholarly.

The handles, simulated by lion heads holding rings, lend a sculptural touch highly characteristic of the Empire and Restoration periods. This detail, combined with the ruins motif, clearly situates the piece within the broader trend of archaeological taste that influenced European decorative objects after the late 18th century.

The material, in this case painted and varnished sheet metal, allowed for the creation of refined, elegant decorative objects that were lighter than their bronze or ceramic counterparts. The marks of time, visible in the wear and minor imperfections in the decoration, contribute to the authenticity and charm of this pair. A barely legible signature can be seen inside the lid.

A beautiful decorative pair, of balanced size, easy to integrate into a classic or eclectic interior.

• Period: circa 1820-1850
• Material: painted and varnished sheet metal
• Setting: ancient ruins, figures, architectural landscape
• Style: Neoclassical, Empire/Restoration