Manifattura di Parigi (Vieux Paris) con rifinitura presso Real Fabbrica Ferdinandea (Napoli) - - Vase (2) - Empire-style amphora model with a gold ground. - Porcelain (hard-paste), polychrome enamels, zecchino gold leaf, glaze (vitrifying) - Pair of Porcelain Vases

SHIPPING: I can ship within 24 to 48 hours, which is why the shipping is a bit higher; the item will be packed with bubble wrap and cardboard with maximum care since it is a fragile and valuable object. Also to prevent issues, it will be insured.
-Are you on vacation? I offer a premium service, maximum delivery flexibility, I can ship to the pickup point closest to you, so you can collect it calmly whenever you prefer.

KEPT IN A CLOSED DISPLAY CABINET

I am one of the few sellers who can ship worldwide thanks to possession and registration of the EORI CODE. This guarantees peace of mind and faster shipping speeds even outside the European Union.

-HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
The fuseau shape (spindle or “antique”) with finely worked gilded handles and a square plinth base with alternating gold and porcelain bands is the quintessence of the taste of the French First Empire and Charles X (circa 1815–1830). This type of vase reflects the neoclassical influence of the era, intended to decorate the consoles and fireplaces of the great aristocratic homes.
Manufacture
Crafted in the finest hard-paste porcelain, these pieces are attributed to the prestigious Paris Porcelain workshops (Porcelaine de Paris / Vieux Paris) or to royal manufactories such as Sèvres and Dagoty. The great Parisian manufactories of the 19th century were renowned for their extraordinary mastery in combining high-precision enamel painting with grounds in pure gold leaf.
-The Subject: The Charm of Maritime Views and Artful Caprices
The front panels are entirely hand-painted and show scenic coastal views with sailing ships, rocky coves and fortified architecture:

-Left Vase: Depicts a seascape with a sailing vessel at anchor near a rocky coast topped by an ancient tower/castle, with figures in period dress along the shore.
-Right Vase: Presents a romantic coastal landscape with sailing ships, mountainous backdrops, and small figures on horseback and on foot giving life to the scene.
The use of delicate tones for the skies and water reflections, contrasted by the vivid purple/violet tones of the rocks, embodies the Romantic Gusto/Grand Tour artistic movement, where the sea and naval adventure were synonymous with prestige, trade, and exploration trips.

-Symbolism and Decoration
Gold Gilding in Agate (Brunissage): The flared neck, feet and handles are entirely gilded in hand-laid gold leaf and burnished. The workmanship creates a light-reflecting contrast that catches the eye, typical of elite productions.

-Three-Piece Construction: Characteristic of this period, the vases are not made in a single block. They are assembled from three distinct elements (base plinth, foot/neck, and painted central body) held together by an original internal metal tie-rod with a nut. This technique guaranteed perfect firing results and impeccable stability.

-Rarity of the Pair: Facing an original pair kept together greatly increases antique value, as the painted scenes are complementary and designed to create perfect visual symmetry.

-Historical Value / Auction
-Estimated commercial value for the pair: €1,500 – €2,500
(A single vase of this type usually ranges between €700 and €900, but the presence of the intact twin pair doubles and enhances its appeal at international auctions).

NOBLE HISTORY AND THE MEANING OF THE PAIR
The Voyage of the Two Seas: The Legend of a Parisian Shipowner. It is said that this pair of vases was not born merely to decorate a drawing room, but to celebrate a great naval enterprise in 1828. They were commissioned by a wealthy shipowner and scholar from Marseilles, Henri de La Tour, on his return from a long voyage along the Mediterranean routes. To commemorate the success of his maritime trade between France, Naples and the Levant, the scene frames the Kingdom of Naples and he turned to a renowned Parisian workshop of porcelain painters.

He requested a double work: two mirrored vases that told the calm before departure and the charm of the landing. The left vase depicted the safe harbor with its protective fortress, while the right vase captured the route toward exotic lands, with travelers on horseback ready for exploration. For decades, the pair remained in the dining room of the family estate in Marseilles, placed on either side of a large gilded mirror. During gala evenings, candlelight reflected off the gold, turning the gilded surfaces into the glow of a sunset over the sea.

Color disclaimer and condition: Being antique porcelain/art objects, please note that color tones, gilding reflections, and details visible in the images may vary slightly from the actual object due to photographic rendering and lighting. The images are to be considered part of the description, but the live object takes precedence.

TOTAL WEIGHT OF THE 2 VASES: 1,692 g
WEIGHT OF A SINGLE VASE: 846 g