Antique Paris Porcelain Teapot with Mythological Scenes by Rue Vivienne for Bringeon, 1810

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An exceptional French porcelain oval teapot, of the théière « Ovale » or « Bielle » form, hand-painted and gilded … Read more An exceptional French porcelain oval teapot, of the théière « Ovale » or « Bielle » form, hand-painted and gilded at the Parisian atelier of Bringeon on the Rue Vivienne, a fashionable street in the centre of Paris lined with luxury shops, circa 1805-1815. The teapot has an oval body throughout. Its upper edge is flat, with a small raised rim that holds the flat lid with an acorn finial. The high arched handle is fully covered in burnished gold.

Both sides carry finely hand-painted classical mythological scenes within large circular gold-bordered medallions. Even under magnification, the faces, hands, drapery and small details remain precise and clear.

One reserve freely adapts Angelica Kauffman's « Die Bacchantinnen » (The Bacchantes), most probably after Francesco Bartolozzi's engraving of 1786. It shows a bacchante with a thyrsus, a figure holding a tympanum, and a winged putto with a trumpet.

The reverse reserve freely adapts Ceres and Neptune after Bernard Picart's engraving of 1708. Ceres stands beside Neptune in the form of a black horse, while Cupid holds his trident. The horse turns its muzzle towards Ceres's hand. The painter has reduced the broader engraved composition to its most expressive central group: Ceres, the horse-form of Neptune, and Cupid with the trident.

The base is signed in gold "Bringeon / R. Vivienne", the mark of one of the respected independent Paris decorating ateliers of the early 19th century. Such ateliers bought white porcelain blanks from Paris or Limoges manufactories and commissioned skilled painters in the capital to decorate them for a luxury clientele. Bringeon was noted for fine gilding, contrasting dense matte gold with bright accents burnished with an agate stone to a mirror finish. The combination of a documented Bringeon mark and two identified subjects adapted from engravings gives this teapot particular appeal for collectors of Empire Paris porcelain.

Dimensions: length 23 cm from the tip of the spout to the outer edge of the handle; height 15 cm; width 9.9 cm; weight 712 g. Condition: excellent antique condition. UV examination confirms no restoration or repainting. The gilding is well preserved, including on the vulnerable spout, with only very slight wear at its extreme edge. There is a minute loss of gilding where the upper part of the handle joins the body. Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part See less