A pair of Sèvres ceramic amphora-shaped vases with a marbled blue monochrome decoration. Each vase features a gilt-bronze mount with beaded friezes and two small garland handles. Both vases are signed "Sèvres" underneath. Their shape, decoration, and marbled blue color are typical of the work of Paul Milet, ceramist and son of Optat Milet, a Sèvres porcelain maker. While he did not sign his earliest pieces, in 1911, upon his father's death, he established his own mark, "MP Sèvres," within a dotted circle. In subsequent years, the Sèvres porcelain factory, concerned about potential confusion between the different pieces produced by various artists, asked the ceramist to change his mark, which he did by reversing the initials. Thus, on October 4, 1930, he registered the mark "PM Sèvres" within the same dotted circle. We know that some older pieces are simply signed "Sèvres". The mark on our vases is that of the factory between 1872 and 1899 and would therefore correspond to the period of the beginnings of Paul Milet, a young ceramist in Sèvres.

Base diameter: 13 cm / 5.11 in

What is a marble-like decor?

The marbled effect (from the Latin "marmoreus" - marble) gives the material the appearance of marble or is made of marble. To create a marbled effect on a piece of porcelain, one works with a veining pattern typical of the marble one wishes to resemble.

Circa: 1899

Dim: L: 20.5cm, D: 20.5cm, H: 39.5cm.
Dim: W: 8.1in, D: 8.1in, H: 15.6in.

Condition report: Both vases are in very good condition.