19th Century Pair of Decorated Gilt Vases French Circa 1875

19th century pair of crystal rectangular, tapered to the top, highly gilt adorned “raised” cast and repousse and applied; three dimensional decoration of French origin, consistent with the Belle Epoque period “The Beautiful Era” (post 1871) in France. The vases are raised and supported by four round original gilt feet. The vases are identical in theme and design having a different Greco–Roman subject matter on each of the four sides.

A young maiden in deep consternation, is seated before an urn holding flowers, while a highly decorated and detailed floral wreath in a consistent leaf pattern, decorates the top and bottom circumference. The wreath is on all four sides, albeit, the bottom main section differs; the second panel depicts a young lady painting at an easel; the third panel displays a woman chiseling a sculptor resting on a tripod while she is seated. The fourth panel has a woman playing her lyre while observing a fire burning in an adjacent urn. Presumably all four sides depict the same young lady. All in all, a very talented woman.

The pair of vases can be used as gorgeous “stand alone” decorative items or, to accommodate dried flowers. The gilt decoration is attached to and through the crystal, causing one of the vases to have a very slow leak at one of the gilt feet when filled with water rendering it probably not suitable for cut flowers. From my experience I can say that most period vases with attached gilt decoration on crystal, present similar issues if put to the test.

The hand blown glass is intact and all original; the gilt is in “as made” excellent and all original condition with no repairs and no losses.
There are no discernible markings, albeit, there is a rodent like mark that does not quantify a maker, to me, but most certainly the vases are of French genesis.

Dimensions:
9″ high
2 7/8″ at the base
2 1/4″ at the top