Dresden

Pair of Dresden lidded porcelain vases, richly decorated with polychrome painting and gilding. The round body is surrounded by relief-modeled, finely painted floral garlands; on its shoulder, four seated allegorical female figures holding baskets serve as "niches". The front side features large, soft-toned fête galante/pastoral scenes in the tradition of Watteau: shepherds and elegant ladies in a garden, next to ruins and a waterfall. On the back side, bountiful, naturalistic bouquets are depicted. The painting utilizes soft transitions and delicate light-shadow effects; the porcelain glaze is warm bone-colored. The composition can be fit into the taste of the Rococo revival of historicism.