Large French Bronze-Mounted Vase in the Sevres Style

fourth quarter 19th century, the facade with a panel decorated with a couple in 18th century costume in a landscape, the reverse decorated with a landscape panel, both framed in raised gilt, the bronze handles decorated with female masques and acanthus leaves, the matching cover with a cone-form knop, raised on a pierced bronze base, the inside cover with a spurious Sevres mark.
h. 39-1/4", w. 9-1/4", d. 8-1/4"

Provenance: Estate of Mahin Forrest, Houston, Texas.

The cover rests on a beaded gilt metal band with matching bands further down. there are scattered nicks above the center beaded band. The delicate raised gilt decoration on the neck good; the rear neck with a cluster of several very small rough spots to the glaze. Reserve panels good with typical craquelure throughout. Raised gilt frame around figural panel generally good with a tiny nick or two; frame around landscape with scattered nicks and a narrow loss (1/8" x 3/4") at upper left. Gilt-bronze masques good; one with a tiny porcelain flake chip hidden behind it. Narrow cobalt band at the knop, with several cracks to the glaze. All bands on the foot have been regilded. Cover, neck and foot all with similar raised gilt decoration; decoration on the cover and foot has oxidized and may possibly have been executed by a different hand than the neck.