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Samson Porcelain Figures Poseidon and Hephaestus, France C.1850.
Sold by Gillers Antiques Ltd
Id #SA1136465
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Samson Porcelain Figures Poseidon and Hephaestus, France C.1850.

19th century
Sold 31 August 2025 · Gillers Antiques Ltd
This “Samson Porcelain Figures Poseidon and Hephaestus, France C.1850” found a buyer.

It was listed by Gillers Antiques Ltd. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

Rare mid-19th century porcelain figures of Poseidon and Hephaestus, finely crafted by the renowned French maker Samson & Cie around 1850. These two separate figures represent major deities from Greek mythology, each richly detailed and hand-painted in the classical style. Poseidon, god of the sea, is depicted nude with a flowing purple mantle and a hippocampus (mythical sea creature) at his feet — a rare and symbolic element. Hephaestus, god of fire and metalworking, stands with an anvil beside him and holds a hammer (handle missing), wearing a dark robe and burgundy cap, emblematic of his craft. Each figure bears the distinct blue underglaze Samson mark on the underside — a characteristic star-like symbol used by the manufactory during this period. Both figures are executed in the distinctive Samson & Cie style, inspired by 18th-century European porcelain traditions. The detailed modeling, hand-painted decoration, and pierced bases with gilt accents reflect the quality and historical awareness typical of Samson’s mid-19th-century production.

Dimensions: height average 14.5 cm, total weight 396 grams.

Condition: Hephaestus - in his hands the tip of the handle of the hammer, the handle itself is missing, chipped little finger of the left hand; in the hands of Poseidon was a rod, now it is not available, there’s minor surface wear on the gold, otherwise in excellent antique condition.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Free delivery worldwide.

Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated these Samson Porcelain Mythological Figures to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1136465
Description
Rare mid-19th century porcelain figures of Poseidon and Hephaestus, finely crafted by the renowned French maker Samson & Cie around 1850.
“
These two separate figures represent major deities from Greek mythology, each richly detailed and hand-painted in the classical style.
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Poseidon, god of the sea, is depicted nude with a flowing purple mantle and a hippocampus (mythical sea creature) at his feet — a rare and symbolic element. Hephaestus, god of fire and metalworking, stands with an anvil beside him and holds a hammer (handle missing), wearing a dark robe and burgundy cap, emblematic of his craft. Each figure bears the distinct blue underglaze Samson mark on the underside — a characteristic star-like symbol used by the manufactory during this period. Both figures are executed in the distinctive Samson & Cie style, inspired by 18th-century European porcelain traditions. The detailed modeling, hand-painted decoration, and pierced bases with gilt accents reflect the quality and historical awareness typical of Samson’s mid-19th-century production.

fig 1. Two antique hand-painted porcelain figures depicting mythological deities standing on ornate circular bases.
fig 1. Samson Porcelain Figures Poseidon and Hephaestus, France C.1850.

Dimensions: height average 14.5 cm, total weight 396 grams.

Condition: Hephaestus - in his hands the tip of the handle of the hammer, the handle itself is missing, chipped little finger of the left hand; in the hands of Poseidon was a rod, now it is not available, there’s minor surface wear on the gold, otherwise in excellent antique condition.

fig 2. Two antique hand-painted porcelain figures depicting mythological deities standing on ornate circular bases.
fig 2. Samson Porcelain Figures Poseidon and Hephaestus, France C.1850.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Free delivery worldwide.

Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated these Samson Porcelain Mythological Figures to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1136465
Gillers Antiques Ltd
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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Two antique hand-painted porcelain figures depicting mythological deities standing on ornate circular bases. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I Two antique hand-painted porcelain figures depicting mythological deities standing on ornate circular bases. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Samson Porcelain Figures Poseidon and Hephaestus, France C.1850.

Archive II Two antique hand-painted porcelain figures depicting mythological deities standing on ornate circular bases. View II
Archive III Two antique hand-painted porcelain figures depicting mythological deities standing on ornate circular bases. View III
Archive IV Two antique hand-painted porcelain figures depicting mythological deities standing on ornate circular bases. View IV
Archive V Two antique hand-painted porcelain figures depicting mythological deities standing on ornate circular bases. View V
Archive VI Two antique hand-painted porcelain figures depicting mythological deities standing on ornate circular bases. View VI
Archive VII Two antique hand-painted porcelain figures depicting mythological deities standing on ornate circular bases. View VII
Archive VIII Two antique hand-painted porcelain figures depicting mythological deities standing on ornate circular bases. View VIII
Archive IX Two antique hand-painted porcelain figures depicting mythological deities standing on ornate circular bases. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07738 009924
Location
Buckland House
Buntingford
Hertfordshire
SG9 0PY
United Kingdom
Verified Since Mar 2023
Items For Sale 398
Items Sold 580
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Verified Since Mar 2023
View Dealer Info
Location: Buckland House, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0PY, United Kingdom
Verified
Mar 2023
For Sale
398
Sold
580
Two antique hand-painted porcelain figures depicting mythological deities standing on ornate circular bases.
Samson Porcelain Figures Poseidon and Hephaestus, France c.1850.
Ref: SA1136465
Two antique hand-painted porcelain figures depicting mythological deities standing on ornate circular bases.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Objects
  • Period19th century
  • StyleHistoric Revival
  • MaterialPorcelain, Enamel, Gold gilt
  • ColourMulticolour
  • MotifsHand-painted polychrome enamel, Gilded scrollwork bases, Classical mythological iconography

Established in Paris during the 19th century, Samson et Cie specialised in producing high-quality reproductions and interpretations of historic ceramics and porcelain figures from renowned factories like Meissen, Chelsea, and Derby.

These figures are crafted from hard-paste porcelain, meticulously hand-painted with polychrome enamels, and frequently embellished with gilding before being fired at high temperatures.

Authenticity is typically determined by examining the paste, the quality of the hand-painting, and specific Samson factory marks, which often imitated earlier marks of famous European factories while sometimes including their own subtle variations.

These sculptures can be displayed as focal points on a mantelpiece, within a glass-fronted cabinet, or styled on a bookshelf to add classical texture, history, and sophisticated colour accents to a room.

Keep porcelain out of direct sunlight to prevent enamel fading, clean gently with a soft, dry brush or a damp microfibre cloth without harsh chemicals, and ensure they are placed on stable surfaces away from high-traffic areas.
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