A PAIR of Svres vases has gone on show at the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, after being acquired by the trustees.

The vases, entitled Adelaide after Madame Adelaide, the sister of the French king, were commissioned in 1849 by an Englishman, Samuel Scott, designed to a drawing that still survives in the factory's archives.

A correspondence that mentions Scott's name has also survived within the archive. From the director to the minister of state, it asks for special permission to produce the vases.

The Bowes has a particular interest in Anglo-French 19th century connections, since the collection was established during this time, mainly in France, by founders John and Josephine Bowes, who opened the museum to the public in 1892.

The vases, which have been in a French collection for half a century, were felt to be an especially suitable acquisition.

Their outstanding importance was recognised by and acquired with the aid of grants from the National Art Collections Fund, the Resource-V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the Friends of the Museum. They are on show in the entrance hall.

The museum is open daily from 11-5. Anyone wishing further information can contact 01833 690606 or visit the website at www.bowesmuseum. org.uk.