French Porcelain Figures of Vion and Baury, 1870, Set of 2

Details

Description

A striking pair of large paris hard-paste porcelain figures in the vion et baury manner, dating to around 1870. The … Read more A striking pair of large paris hard-paste porcelain figures in the vion et baury manner, dating to around 1870. The composition depicts an elegant 18th-century musical couple — the gentleman raising a wine cup in a graceful toast and the lady playing a lute — rendered with soft pastel enamels, gilt accents and satin-finished complexions. Their expressive poses and delicate modelling exemplify the refined rococo aesthetic of the vieux paris ateliers.

a period paper label inscribed “g. F. Webber from france 1871” remains on the base, documenting export to the celebrated boston dealer who supplied fine european porcelain to gilded age collectors. This label firmly dates their arrival in america and indicates manufacture slightly earlier, around 1868–1870. The pair is unmarked, as was typical for top-tier parisian production.

measurements
man:
height: 41.7 cm / 16.4″
width: 18 cm / 7.1″
depth: 18 cm / 7.1″
weight: 1,583 g

lady:
height: 40 cm / 15.7″
width: 15.5 cm / 6.1″
depth: 15.5 cm / 6.1″
weight: 1,522 g

condition
gentleman: small drilled hole to base (later lamp conversion) and minor wear to gilding.
lady: lute end restored, thumb reattached, small strap loss, small drilled base hole, and light gilt wear.
both figures remain in excellent antique condition with rich, well-preserved enamel detail.

these finely detailed figures combine scale, provenance and artistry, making them ideal statement pieces for a refined interior — perfect on a console, mantel or within a curated cabinet display. See less