This pair of Old Paris porcelain mantel vases stands out immediately for its remarkable mirror-bright gilding, a luminous surface that captures and reflects light in the luxurious manner for which Paris porcelain became famous in the early nineteenth century.
Made around 1840 in the Empire style, the vases rise from square bases to elegant urn-shaped bodies flanked by sculptural loop handles whose matte finish subtly contrasts with the brilliant burnished gold of the bodies.
Encircling each vase is a finely hand painted garland of flowers rendered in soft pinks, blues, and greens.
This delicate floral band provides a lively counterpoint to the expansive  gold ground and highlights the painter’s careful hand.
The gilding itself was applied using powdered gold mixed with a binder and brushed onto the porcelain in the manner of paint.
After firing, the gold fused to the surface and was carefully burnished to achieve its mirror-like brilliance.
This demanding technique was a hallmark of Old Paris porcelain workshops, which were celebrated throughout the nineteenth century for producing pieces of extraordinary decorative impact.
Produced by one of the many independent porcelain ateliers active in Paris during this period, the pair reflects the city’s reputation for luxurious porcelain intended for elegant interiors. Vases of this type were designed to decorate mantelpieces, consoles, and cabinet displays, where their reflective gilding would animate the surrounding space in candlelight.
Dimensions: 12.25 inches tall x 6 inches across x 3.25 inches deep
Condition: Excellent
Price: $1,200
Decoration: Mirror-bright burnished gilding with hand-painted floral garlands
Material: Porcelain with extensive gilt decoration
Style: Empire
Origin: Paris, France
Date: Circa 1840