Pair of 19th-century Paris porcelain vases
390,00 €
Pair of vases "Wedding. Flowers and gold"
A dazzling pair of Paris porcelain vases, where gold and flowers engage in an expressive dialogue between form and light. The sculptural profile and rich pictorial detail combine to create a festive image with a fully realized decorative scheme. Objects where ornamentation becomes an independent artistic force.
- Description
Description
Pair of vases "Wedding. Flowers and gold"
Porcelain, polychrome painting, gilding.
France, Paris (Paris porcelain), late 19th century.
Height: 27,5 cm.
Condition: excellent condition.
Expert attribution (document available).
An expressive pair of vases, where the decorative abundance of late 19th-century Parisian porcelain reaches an almost sculptural dimension, with a bright and luminous character.
The form opens upwards in a complex, undulating outline, evoking a blooming flower. The sculpture relies on movement—petal-shaped edges, raised elements, and fluid transitions create the image of a living, unfolding form.
The central reserves with floral decoration introduce a pictorial dimension into this dynamic, forming a contrast between the white background of the porcelain and the richly gilded environment.
Materials and decor
The porcelain of the Parisian porcelain tradition is manifested here in its most decorative expression.
The abundant gilding does not merely cover the surface: it structures the relief and rhythm of the object. The ornamentation unfolds as a continuous flow, from the base to the upper edge, reinforcing the verticality, adding complexity to the silhouette, and accentuating the luminous character of the whole.
The floral compositions, painted in the tradition of miniature porcelain, feature smooth color transitions and a free interpretation of the petals, creating the impression of a living bouquet. Against the gold background, these painted reserves stand out with particular clarity.
Artistic context
Such pairs of vases belong to the category of so-called "wedding" or presentation objects, intended for reception interiors.
In the second half of the 19th century, Parisian workshops actively developed this type of form—complex, richly ornamented, designed to produce a visual effect and a lasting impression. These were no longer simply utilitarian objects, but pieces of representation, testifying to craftsmanship, taste, and status.
The absence of a brand name is consistent with the practice of many Parisian porcelain manufacturers, where value lies primarily in artistic quality rather than strict identification.
Character:
These vases function as true, standalone decorative accents.
Their expressiveness is based on a controlled contrast — between the opulent, almost baroque gilding and the delicacy of the floral painting, between the plastic complexity of the form and the clarity of the central compositions.
Objects where decoration becomes language — rich, luminous and structured, characteristic of late 19th-century Parisian culture.
In the additional photographs, this pair of vases is shown together with an antique Paris porcelain jardinière (lot 4991). This is a rare instance where objects, separated by time, seem to reunite and form a remarkably harmonious ensemble.
