Pair of Samson Porcelain Yellow Ground Vases and Covers in Niderviller Style. Neoclassical style urn-form vases on pedestal bases, with high acorn knopped covers, with applied bisque male and female masks and extensive swagged garlands. painted with gilt rocaille and with gilt banded cartouches containing puce camaÔeu landscapes or putti. The corner of one square base with raised bisque plaque incised NIDERVILLER. The other vase with underglaze blue crown interlaced Ls and CZ to interior. France. Circa 1885-1900. 15" H. x 71/2" W. x 5 1/8". D. 4" square, the bases. Property from the Estate of Arthur Thomson, San Francisco, CA. Parallels: Another pair of vases from what must have been a mantel garniture, sold at Christie's London Lot 660 November 17 2015 for 2500 pounds. The vase with female masks: cover broken, professionally reglued, repainted and regilt. Leather washer may be wearing out as vase is loose in socket. The vase with male masks: original leather washer dried out and cracked, now replaced and glued. The gilding to the sides of this vase is mostly flaked away possibly due to overfiring. Both vases: Some losses to biscuit flowers and leaves. Most likely these were designed by Samson as mantel garnitures, alternating male with female masked vases. However, these vases are the same height and diameters, so it is also possible the enterprising EdmÈ Samson designed the vases in different combinations.