An ovoid Revna jasper vase with a lid ending in a seed. Two ormolu triton children supporting garlands of laurel leaves.
The neck of the vase is encircled by a motif of acanthus leaves alternating with asparagus and the flat is encircled by a bronze rod with a frieze of post.
The foot of the vase is decorated with a bronze ovoid motif and the base is set in a bronze motif alternating a large acanthus leaf and a large flute decorated with an asparagus.
The whole rests on a square gilt bronze base.
Several similar vases have come up for public sale and been attributed to Pierre Gouthière, with the only difference being that the children are looking outwards, whereas in this vase their hands are touching the lid.
We find the same bronze decoration on a brown marble vase, Galliéra sale 4 December 1963.
On the other hand, on a number of ewers we find the same arrangement of bronze figures touching the neck of the vase with their hands. There are also similarities in the bronze work, particularly in the ending of the child triton and the bronze oak leaf garlands that extend from the lower part of his body.
We find this on a superb pair of ewers in the Pittsburg Museum.
This vase is set in the 1770s, a period during which he created new models, powerful in their rendering.
Pierre Gouthière ( 1732 - 1813)
Patronised by the Duke of Aumont, Pierre Gouthière was probably one of the most talented chisellers of the second half of the 18th century. He obtained his brevet de doreur ordinaire des Menus Plaisirs in 1767, which allowed him to acquire a certain notoriety and thus to compose the most beautiful clientele of the time.
