French Porcelain Figural Inkwells in the style of Kändler for Edmé Samson, 1860, Set of 2

Details

Description

An exceptional pair of French hard-paste porcelain figural inkwells by Edmé Samson et Cie, Paris, dating from circa 1850–1860 and … Read more An exceptional pair of French hard-paste porcelain figural inkwells by Edmé Samson et Cie, Paris, dating from circa 1850–1860 and based on celebrated 18th-century designs by Johann Joachim Kändler.

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

Finely hand-painted with polychrome floral decoration, the figures feature richly detailed costumes and broad fluted ruff collars embellished with gilding and delicate geometric diaper work.

Both unglazed bases bear a single impressed capital letter S, a documented mark of Edmé Samson et Cie. The celebrated Paris manufactory became renowned 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 enamel decoration remains exceptionally vivid, with minor age-related wear to the gilding.

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