The central element of the three-piece garniture sold at Essex auctioneers Staceys for £14,500.
Apparently in the same family for at least three generations, the vases are of a very similar design to that shown by the Munich retailers Steigerwald at the Masterpieces of Industrial Art & Sculpture International Exhibition in 1862.
Offered on August 9, the three vases were not in perfect condition - one of the smaller 13in (33cm) high examples was badly cracked and many of the glass dowels that held the handles in place had broken - but at their estimate of £1500-2500 they attracted interest from six telephone bidders.
These included a glass museum from New York and a significant London museum but it was bought by a private buyer in France at £14,500 (plus 16 per cent buyer's premium).
