Ref. 2246

Paris Porcelain

(Attributed to)

Pair of Neo-Greek Lamps

France

Circa 1860

Porcelain, patinated, gilt and silvered bronze

Height: 103,5 cm (40,8 in.) ; Diameter: 32,5 cm (12,8 in)

Important pair of Neo-Greek lamps, richly ornamented with scenes inspired by Greco-Roman Antiquity. The continuous painted decoration depicts graceful draped female figures, accompanied by furniture and architectural elements. The body is framed by Greek key friezes and stylized vegetal motifs in shades of red, turquoise, orange, and black.

The porcelain is mounted on a rich gilt, silvered, and patinated bronze mount, finely chased and abundantly decorated with vine leaves, grape clusters, and rosettes. Each lamp is topped with a molded opaline glass globe, delicately sculpted in the shape of a corolla.

Porcelaine de Paris

Since the discovery of kaolin, needed material for the making of porcelain, porcelain factories also called porcelain manufactures are on the increase in all France and naturally in Paris. Most of those manufactures worked in the 18th century under the protection of a member of the Royal family, such the comte de Provence, future Louis XVIII, who protected the Clignancourt manufacture. But during the 18th and 19th century, numerous pieces did bear no making mark. It was then almost imposssible to attribute them to any particular Parisian factory, hence the expression “Paris porcelain” or “Vieux Paris” including all those various productions.