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ID #SA1232126
FOR SALE
£1,000
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Edmé Samson Pair of Chinese Singing Boy Figural Inkwells, C.1850–1860
Gillers Antiques Ltd
for sale €1,170     $1,270
£1,000
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2023
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Id #SA1232126
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Edmé Samson Pair of Chinese Singing Boy Figural Inkwells, C.1850–1860

19th century
Description

A fine pair of mid-19th-century French hard-paste porcelain figural inkwells by Edmé Samson et Cie, Paris, circa 1850–1860, after 18th-century designs by Johann Joachim Kändler.

Modelled as seated Chinese singing boys, each figure holds an open songbook with bright, burnished gold edges. The hollow bodies form the ink reservoirs, while the separately modelled removable heads serve as the original porcelain stoppers.

The figures are finely hand-painted with polychrome flowering sprays and richly decorated costumes. Their broad fluted ruff collars are embellished with extensive gilding and delicate geometric diaper work.

Each unglazed base bears a single impressed capital letter S, a documented mark of Edmé Samson et Cie. The Paris manufactory was celebrated for exceptionally fine reproductions of historic European porcelain, whose works have steadily increased in value on the international antiques market.

Dimensions:

First inkwell — Height: 8.7 cm; Weight: 140 g

Second inkwell — Height: 8.7 cm; Weight: 132 g

Condition:

First inkwell: the porcelain body and detachable head are in excellent antique condition. The ruff collar immediately below the head shows areas of overpainting on both sides.

Second inkwell: excellent antique condition with no evidence of restoration, repair or overpainting.

Both pieces have been examined under UV light. Both original detachable porcelain head stoppers are present. The polychrome decoration remains exceptionally vivid, with minor age-related wear to the gilding.

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. Shipping costs include handling, packaging and postage.

Physical Dimensions
Height
8.7cm (3.43")
Declaration

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated these Antique Porcelain Figural Inkwells to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1232126
Dealers Internal Reference
B1852
Description
A fine pair of mid-19th-century French hard-paste porcelain figural inkwells by Edmé Samson et Cie, Paris, circa 1850–1860, after 18th-century designs by Johann Joachim Kändler.
“
Modelled as seated Chinese singing boys, each figure holds an open songbook with bright, burnished gold edges.
Gillers Antiques Ltd

The hollow bodies form the ink reservoirs, while the separately modelled removable heads serve as the original porcelain stoppers.

fig 1. A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks.
fig 1. Edmé Samson Pair of Chinese Singing Boy Figural Inkwells, C.1850–1860

The figures are finely hand-painted with polychrome flowering sprays and richly decorated costumes. Their broad fluted ruff collars are embellished with extensive gilding and delicate geometric diaper work.

fig 2. A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks.
fig 2. Edmé Samson Pair of Chinese Singing Boy Figural Inkwells, C.1850–1860

Each unglazed base bears a single impressed capital letter S, a documented mark of Edmé Samson et Cie. The Paris manufactory was celebrated for exceptionally fine reproductions of historic European porcelain, whose works have steadily increased in value on the international antiques market.

fig 3. A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks.
fig 3. Edmé Samson Pair of Chinese Singing Boy Figural Inkwells, C.1850–1860

Dimensions:

First inkwell — Height: 8.7 cm; Weight: 140 g

Second inkwell — Height: 8.7 cm; Weight: 132 g

Condition:

First inkwell: the porcelain body and detachable head are in excellent antique condition. The ruff collar immediately below the head shows areas of overpainting on both sides.

fig 4. A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks.
fig 4. Edmé Samson Pair of Chinese Singing Boy Figural Inkwells, C.1850–1860

Second inkwell: excellent antique condition with no evidence of restoration, repair or overpainting.

Both pieces have been examined under UV light. Both original detachable porcelain head stoppers are present. The polychrome decoration remains exceptionally vivid, with minor age-related wear to the gilding.

fig 5. A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks.
fig 5. Edmé Samson Pair of Chinese Singing Boy Figural Inkwells, C.1850–1860

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. Shipping costs include handling, packaging and postage.

Height
8.7cm (3.43")
Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated these Antique Porcelain Figural Inkwells to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1232126
Dealers Internal Ref
B1852
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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A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks.
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Archive I A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks.

Edmé Samson Pair of Chinese Singing Boy Figural Inkwells, C.1850–1860

Archive II A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks. View II
Archive III A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks. View III
Archive IV A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks. View IV
Archive V A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks. View V
Archive VI A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks. View VI
Archive VII A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks. View IX
Archive X A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks. View X
Archive XI A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks. View XI
Archive XII A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks. View XII
Archive XIII A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks. View XIII
Archive XIV A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks. View XIV
Archive XV A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks. View XV
Enlarged Archival View
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd
Telephone 07738 009924
Location
Buckland House
Buntingford
Hertfordshire
SG9 0PY
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified Since Mar 2023
Items For Sale 399
Items Sold 568
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Verified Since Mar 2023
View Dealer Info
Location: Buckland House, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0PY, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified
Mar 2023
For Sale
399
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A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks.
Edmé Samson Pair of Chinese Singing Boy Figural Inkwells, c.1850–1860
Ref: SA1232126
A pair of antique French Samson porcelain figural inkwells depicting singing boys wearing floral robes and gilt-rimmed ruffs while holding open songbooks.
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FAQs

Chinoiserie porcelain refers to European ceramic pieces decorated with artistic interpretations and representations of Chinese and East Asian iconography, popularised from the eighteenth century onwards.

These pieces were typically crafted from hard-paste porcelain, hand-painted with polychrome enamel pigments, and finished with gilt accenting before receiving a clear protective glaze.

Authentic Samson porcelain can be identified by assessing the quality of the hard-paste ceramic, inspecting hand-painted enamel details, and examining maker marks or emulated factory marks typically applied to the base.

Figural inkwells function as decorative accents on executive writing desks, open library shelving, or decorative mantelpieces alongside structured brass and dark timber elements.

Clean antique porcelain using a soft, dry microfibre cloth or soft feather duster to remove surface dust, avoiding liquid immersion or chemical detergents that could erode original gilding and enamel decoration.
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