VIEUX PARIS - Vase (2) - Crater-shaped amphorae. - Porcelain with a solid gold finish - HAND-PAINTED VASES

SHIPPING: I can ship within 24-48 hours, which is why shipping is a bit higher; the item will be wrapped with bubble wrap and cardboard with maximum care since it is a fragile and precious object. Moreover, to prevent any issues, it will also be insured.
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STORED IN A CLOSED VITRINE

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This pair of vases is an excellent example of Parisian Porcelain (Vieux Paris), dating from the mid-19th century (full Romantic period). The model is the Neoclassical-inspired crater vase, which became the symbol of luxury in European noble households during the reigns of Louis-Philippe and Napoleon III. To make them so precious, they were crafted by master ceramicists who used the “grand fire” technique to fix the colors and the gilded gold.

-What the scenes represent
The scenes are painted with the technique of polychrome miniature and are defined as “genre scenes” with a popular character:
Vase 1 (Elegant Scene): It depicts the meeting between a young fisherman (note the bare feet and humble yet well-kept clothes) and a young woman in traditional costume. It is a rural courtship scene, typical of the nineteenth-century Romantic era.
Vase 2 (The Fishing): It shows a fisherman pointing to the sea, with sailing boats in the background. On the back of both vases there are coastal landscapes with Mediterranean architectures and cypresses, reminiscent of Grand Tour views.

Detail: The presence of birds in flight and the precision of the faces indicate an expert brushwork, not mass-produced.

Gilding and Specific Details
Gilding: The gilding is defined as “mirror” or “gold ground.” If it is still perfect, it means it was applied in thick layers (24k gold) and burnished with agate stones. The shine indicates the vases have been kept in protected display cases, away from dust and humidity.

Handles: The handles are sculpted volutes with scroll motifs, entirely gilded.
Base: Both rest on a square plinth, a feature that confers solemnity and importance, typical of noble commissions.

Family and Provenance
Vases of this importance were not intended for the general market, but belonged to high aristocratic or high bourgeois industrial families (such as the Bourbons in Naples or Parisian nobility). They were displayed in pairs on the mantels of reception rooms (mantel garnitures) to showcase the wealth of the house through the abundance of gold.

Estimate
Given the exceptional state of preservation (“perfect gilding”), the quality of painting, and the fact that they are a complete pair (pendant):
Market estimate: A similar pair, if confirmed to be from a prestigious Parisian manufacture, can range from €1,500 to €2,000 on specialized channels for elite collectors.