Comprising a pair of amphora-shaped vases and a smaller vase of stamnos form; the larger vases each flanked with Bacchic mask handles above grape-harvest scenes to one side and profiles of Bacchus and Ariadne respectively to the obverse above four volute-scroll headed legs terminating in hoof feet on a quatrefoil base and signed 'F. LEVILLAIN' and 'F. BARBEDIENNE', the smaller vase cast with high-relief masks of male gods to the neck between a pair of loop handles and above depictions of male figures riding chariots and winged putti on a spreading circular base decorated with grazing deer and signed 'F. LEVILLAIN INV' and 'F. BARBEDIENNE'
The pair: 17¹⁄₄ in. (44 cm.) high; 6 in. (15.5 cm.) wide
The smaller vase: 10³⁄₄ in. (27.5 cm.) high; 6¹⁄₂ in. (16.5 cm.) diameter

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Lot Essay

When the great bronzier Barbedienne began to branch out with original designs, the firm hired the artist Henry Cahieux (1825-1854) to design decorative objects in the ‘néo-grec’ taste, and following his death in 1853, Constant Sévin (1821-1888) continued producing new forms. However, it was Levillian who brought the greatest sensitivity to his Antique derivations. As a contemporary article described him: “M. Levillian excelle surtout dans la reproduction de scènes antiques, l’art grec, n’as pas des secrets pour lui, il y a trouvé ses plus heureuses inspirations” (A. Guerinet, ed., La Sculpture française contemporaine, œuvres remarqueable du musée du Luxembourg, des musées de province, des salons et des collections particulières, Paris, s. d., p. 11). This clearly seen in the present group of vases.