What is Old Paris porcelain?

Old Paris porcelain, also known as Vieux Paris, refers to fine hard-paste ceramic items produced by independent artisan workshops in and surrounding Paris from the late eighteenth century through the nineteenth century.

How were nineteenth-century French porcelain vases constructed?

These items were formed from hard-paste porcelain clay, fired at high temperatures, and embellished with hand-painted enamel decoration, heavy gilt accents, and three-dimensional applied ceramic elements.

How can authentic Old Paris porcelain be identified?

Authentic pieces frequently lack maker marks due to the independent nature of Parisian studios, displaying translucent hard-paste porcelain bodies, reticulated piercing, heavy gilding, and detailed hand painting.

How can antique floral porcelain vases be styled in modern interiors?

Display ornamental porcelain vases as symmetry-defining focal points on a mantelpiece, sideboard top, or central console to add historic texture and formal contrast within modern room layouts.

How should gilded ceramic vases with applied details be cleaned?

Dust gently using a soft, dry natural-bristle brush around delicate applied floral ornaments, avoiding water, liquid detergents, or friction that can wear away surface gilding.

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A Pair of Old Paris Porcelain Vases, C. 19th Century

Name: A Pair of Old Paris Porcelain Vases, C. 19th Century
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1102806
Price: 750 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Gillers Antiques Ltd

Description

This pair of hand-painted Old Paris porcelain vases is both gorgeous and magnificent, created in the style of Jacob Petit in the 19th century. These amphora-shaped, beautifully crafted flower vases are made from French enameled and glazed porcelain, featuring floral decorations and gold accents. Generous gilding highlights the pedestals and moldings. Such rich decoration and complex forms reflect the tastes of the time, when many wealthy members of the bourgeoisie desired items that were expensive and eye-catching, comparable in quality and luxury to those owned by the nobility, previously accessible only to this exclusive social group.

Old Paris Porcelain is broadly defined as porcelain made by artisans in and around Paris from the late 18th century to the 1870s. It was first beloved by Marie Antoinette, particularly for the “cornflower” painted patterns, and was used only by the wealthiest French aristocrats. The term "Old Paris" is used by antique dealers to refer more broadly to a particular style of porcelain produced in over 30 different Parisian factories from the 18th to the 19th century. This type of ceramic art is closely related to the history of Parisian porcelain but has its own distinctive characteristics that have brought it worldwide fame.

One of the most famous porcelain painters of the time was Jacob Petit, born Jacob Mordechai (1796 - 1868), who worked as a painter in a porcelain factory in Sèvres. In 1830, he bought a factory in Fontainebleau and settled in Paris. The porcelain products of the Jacob Petit factory stand out with a unique style distinct from that of other manufacturers. His factory produced a wide range of porcelain items, including vases, services, candlesticks, figurines, writing instruments, and clocks. The incredibly complex, sometimes excessive molded decorations, far from usual canons, and the riotous colors in these works delight us today with their originality.

Please note that our vases have a floral pattern on both sides, which is quite rare—usually Old Paris vases are white on the reverse side. This additional decoration increases the vase's value.

Dimensions:

Height: 27 cm

Width: 14 cm

Depth: 12 cm

(each vase)

Weight:

First vase: 1000 grams

Second vase: 1215 grams

Condition:

One vase has two hairline cracks on one of the eight petals that make up the top decoration—these are not visible from the outside, only from the inside (see photo). There is some loss of gilding and a few very small chips on the flowers, but otherwise, the condition is excellent.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of this description. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labor, packaging, and postage.

Declaration

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated these Old Paris Porcelain Vases to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1102806

Description

This pair of hand-painted Old Paris porcelain vases is both gorgeous and magnificent, created in the style of Jacob Petit in the 19th century.

“

These amphora-shaped, beautifully crafted flower vases are made from French enameled and glazed porcelain, featuring floral decorations and gold accents.

Gillers Antiques Ltd

Generous gilding highlights the pedestals and moldings. Such rich decoration and complex forms reflect the tastes of the time, when many wealthy members of the bourgeoisie desired items that were expensive and eye-catching, comparable in quality and luxury to those owned by the nobility, previously accessible only to this exclusive social group.

fig 1. A pair of nineteenth-century white hard-paste porcelain vases featuring reticulated necks, gilded scroll handles, painted botanical panels, and applied ceramic flowers. — fig 1. A Pair of Old Paris Porcelain Vases, C. 19th Century

Old Paris Porcelain is broadly defined as porcelain made by artisans in and around Paris from the late 18th century to the 1870s. It was first beloved by Marie Antoinette, particularly for the “cornflower” painted patterns, and was used only by the wealthiest French aristocrats. The term "Old Paris" is used by antique dealers to refer more broadly to a particular style of porcelain produced in over 30 different Parisian factories from the 18th to the 19th century. This type of ceramic art is closely related to the history of Parisian porcelain but has its own distinctive characteristics that have brought it worldwide fame.

fig 2. A pair of nineteenth-century white hard-paste porcelain vases featuring reticulated necks, gilded scroll handles, painted botanical panels, and applied ceramic flowers. — fig 2. A Pair of Old Paris Porcelain Vases, C. 19th Century

One of the most famous porcelain painters of the time was Jacob Petit, born Jacob Mordechai (1796 - 1868), who worked as a painter in a porcelain factory in Sèvres. In 1830, he bought a factory in Fontainebleau and settled in Paris. The porcelain products of the Jacob Petit factory stand out with a unique style distinct from that of other manufacturers. His factory produced a wide range of porcelain items, including vases, services, candlesticks, figurines, writing instruments, and clocks. The incredibly complex, sometimes excessive molded decorations, far from usual canons, and the riotous colors in these works delight us today with their originality.

fig 3. A pair of nineteenth-century white hard-paste porcelain vases featuring reticulated necks, gilded scroll handles, painted botanical panels, and applied ceramic flowers. — fig 3. A Pair of Old Paris Porcelain Vases, C. 19th Century

Please note that our vases have a floral pattern on both sides, which is quite rare—usually Old Paris vases are white on the reverse side. This additional decoration increases the vase's value.

Dimensions:

fig 4. A pair of nineteenth-century white hard-paste porcelain vases featuring reticulated necks, gilded scroll handles, painted botanical panels, and applied ceramic flowers. — fig 4. A Pair of Old Paris Porcelain Vases, C. 19th Century

Height: 27 cm

Width: 14 cm

Depth: 12 cm

(each vase)

Weight:

First vase: 1000 grams

Second vase: 1215 grams

Condition:

One vase has two hairline cracks on one of the eight petals that make up the top decoration—these are not visible from the outside, only from the inside (see photo). There is some loss of gilding and a few very small chips on the flowers, but otherwise, the condition is excellent.

fig 5. A pair of nineteenth-century white hard-paste porcelain vases featuring reticulated necks, gilded scroll handles, painted botanical panels, and applied ceramic flowers. — fig 5. A Pair of Old Paris Porcelain Vases, C. 19th Century

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of this description. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labor, packaging, and postage.

Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated these Old Paris Porcelain Vases to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1102806

About the Dealer

Gillers Antiques Ltd

Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2023

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gillers Antiques Ltd Profile Page

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