A pair of majestic ovoid-shaped black porphyry vases, faun’s head handles connected by a band with floral decorations, musician putti and cornucopias in gilded and chiseled bronze. Pine cone sockets and palmettes on the underside, both in gilded bronze. France, late eighteenth century (attributed to Pier Philippe Thomire). These vases, attributed to the famous bronze artist Thomire, represent the pinnacle of decorative design of the time. The use of black porphyry, an extremely precious material, together with the richly chiseled details in gilded bronze, gives these pieces an unparalleled elegance. Origin: France.