An elegant pair of French Napoleon III gilt bronze-mounted ornamental vases, dating from the third quarter of the nineteenth century. Each vase is surmounted by its original finely etched trumpet-form glass shade, delicately engraved with trailing floral sprays and geometric borders. The glass is supported within an ornate gilt bronze framework formed by three entwined serpents, their bodies rising gracefully from a triangular base adorned with finely modelled seated putti, each holding a slender staff or torch. The composition is both sculptural and balanced, reflecting the highly decorative taste of the Second Empire. The crisp casting and richly gilded bronze combine beautifully with the finely engraved glass, creating an object that functions equally well as a centrepiece or as a decorative cabinet display. Such exotic combinations of classical mythology, naturalistic forms and luxurious materials became synonymous with the Parisian bronziers of the Napoleon III period. Standing 14 cm (5½ inches) high, the pair are perfectly proportioned for display on a mantelpiece, console table or vitrine, where the delicate etched glass contrasts elegantly with the warm gilded bronze. A refined and highly decorative pair exemplifying the exuberant craftsmanship of French decorative arts during the Second Empire. Dimensions Height: 14 cm (5½ in)