Vieux Paris porcelain vase with gilding — Empire style (6994)

Height: 34 cm Width: 18 cm

Vieux Paris porcelain vase with gilding in Empire style

An Empire style snapshot, Friedrich Schiller: In the quiet study of the Weimar house, morning light streamed generously through the tall windows, casting a warm glow upon the paper-laden desk. The poet, wrapped in a comfortable dressing gown, had taken a brief respite from his intense writing to carefully arrange a few dewy roses just brought in from the garden.

He placed them in an elegant, richly gilded Vieux Paris porcelain vase, which stood proudly amidst the scattered manuscripts. The magnificent floral bouquet painted on the side of the vase harmonized perfectly with the fresh blooms, while the romantic pastoral scene depicted on the other side—two lovers in the embrace of nature—provided a serene contrast to the dramatic historical tragedies he was currently wrestling with on paper.

As he rearranged the rose stems, his gaze lingered on the stoic lion heads serving as the vase’s handles and the gilded neck. The visible wear of the gilding and slight scratches on the metallic sheen only added to the object’s charm, telling its own story of the passage of time—a melancholic yet beautiful realization that so often fueled his poetic inspiration.

Craftsmanship & Period This magnificent vase was crafted in the 19th century, inspired by the aesthetics of the classic Empire style, characterized by symmetrical and monumental forms, rich gilding, and motifs from the ancient world.

Maker / Signature / Mark So-called Vieux Paris (Old Paris) porcelain. This term does not refer to a single factory but rather to over 30 different high-end porcelain manufactories and decorating studios operating in and around Paris from the mid-18th to the late 19th century. Vieux Paris porcelain often lacks marks but is recognizable by its exceptional quality, heavy gilding, and masterful hand-painting.

Rarity & Significance Vases in a classic urn shape with double decoration are a typical and highly sought-after example of Vieux Paris porcelain. This particular model stands out with its substantial, gilded lion head handles, embodying strength and majesty. The vase features a double and distinct design on each side—one side adorned with a vibrant polychrome floral bouquet, and the other depicting a romantic genre scene (in the fête galante style) with a pair of lovers in a natural landscape. This visual duality allows the piece to be displayed in two entirely different ways.

Application & Interior Use Due to its historical significance and striking appearance, the vase is perfectly suited for both lavish arrangements of cut flowers and as a standalone decorative centerpiece on a mantelpiece, console, or antique table, lending a truly aristocratic 19th-century accent to any space.

Condition The item is in used, antique condition with distinct signs of its age. There is significant, natural wear to the gilding on the vase’s base, lower body, and upper neck, which is absolutely characteristic of 19th-century pieces. Additionally, a noticeable scratch or hairline crack is present on the gilded neck of the vase. These signs of wear do not detract from the vase’s historical value but rather contribute to its authentic, time-tested character. The condition of the item is fully reflected in the photographs.