Vase

Decorative vase (one of a pair) This alabaster vase was made by an unknown sculptor in Italy at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. Its shape is modelled on an ancient amphora. It is characterised by rich relief and full-plastic decoration. Its ovoid body rests on a shaft decorated with a ring of curled leaves covered with a trail of pearls, passing into a foot in the form of a bell. The body is framed by a basket of acanthus leaves, the front is covered with a rich, symmetrical striped decoration. Above the basket, there are two entwined dolphins depicted bearing a vase with flowers. The animals keep in their mouths twigs of vine and acanthus twisted into a volute ending in a floral rosette. Above, there is a quiver with arrows and lyre surrounded by flower branches. The neck of the vase is slender, slightly tapered, decorated in the middle with a wreath of semi-plastic leaves. Wide, circular spout entwined with an artistic branch made of vine leaves and fruits. On the body two openwork handles composed of acanthus leaves, floral threads and single flowers. The vase is set on a pedestal in the shape of a column on a round base and a square plinth. The column’s fluted shaft is divided in the middle by a smooth band entwined with a semi-plastic vine branch. A striking grey-cream-brown vase, one hundred and eighty centimetres high with the pedestal was acquired with another identical vase (inv. no. S. 1398 MŁ) by the Potocki family, owners of the Łańcut castle, in Italy and they decorated the Sculpture Gallery. In the museum they were moved to the representative Corner Room. Barbara Trojnar