A pair of vases, c.1790 (jasper & ormolu)

Each with circular spreading lid with grape bunch and vine leaf finial, the tapering body with everted lip above bacchic mask handles, above a stylised scrolling border decorated with lotus and anthemion, the tapering base with a stiff-leaf cup, on a circular spreading moulded foot and square plinth, inscribed '168-45', 'No 00194' and No 00195', one section of the foliate border missing on one vase, one lid with two losses to the edge, the finials lacking one leaf, on square simulated porphyry bases. The group was possibly part of the furnishings of the Palace of Pavlovsk near St. Petersburg, and may have been presented to Duke Peter Friedrich Ludwig of Oldenburg (1755-1829) in 1801 by his sister-in-law Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia (1759-1828).