Thanks for the critiques IW.  Two things I did before adding colored tones was to convert the original digitalized color slides to black and white and modify the white and black levels a bit in Photoshop camera raw.  I increased exposure until the highlights (represented by the vases) in both photos 1 & 2. indicated clipping and then used recovery to bring back the detail. It may be that I did clip some anyway or some brightness may have been added by toning.  The first vase in particular now seems very bright. Before toning the background in photo 1 was quite a bit darker, but the toning added detail and gave it a soft, almost grainy appearance.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears