Gorgeous pair of antique French Optat Milet ceramic vases. In a rare ox blood red « sang de bœuf » flambe glaze mottled with hints of green. Decorated with beautiful Louis XVI style ormolu mounts comprising of ornate scrolling foliage, swags, and flower filled urns. a reticulated mount of ornate Rococo style floral garland swags suspended from ribbon bows. Stands 6 ¾” height. In overall good antique condition. One vase has areas partially hidden by the metal rim where it appears the red flambe glaze did not cover completely. Marked with Sèvres in a green oval, by the ceramist Félix Optat Milet (for his personal production outside the Sevres Manufacture). Circa 1880-1900. Félix Optat Milet (1838-1911) began his career as a modeler for Sèvres in 1862. Despite the fact he was employed by the Sèvres factory, Optat opened his own workshop in 1866 at 6 rue Troyon, near Manufacture Nationale in Sèvres, where he employed up to fifty workers. Milet participated in many exhibitions, where his workshop won recognition and numerous awards including a silver medal in 1884; gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1889. His research on colors was celebrated and he worked with other Art Nouveau ceramic artists including Clément Massier (Vallauris), Charles Field (Haviland).