Rose Canton Porcelain Punch Bowl, Edme Samson Et Cie, Paris

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Description

Opulence: Samson's Rose Canton Punch Bowl
Manufacturer: Edmé Samson et Cie, Paris Date: Circa 1880

This massive porcelain punch bowl … Read more Opulence: Samson's Rose Canton Punch Bowl
Manufacturer: Edmé Samson et Cie, Paris Date: Circa 1880

This massive porcelain punch bowl is a spectacular example of 19th-century European ceramic porcelain making and the art of skillfully imitating historical styles. It was produced by the renowned Parisian firm Samson, known for its mastery in reproducing antique ceramics, particularly Chinese export porcelain.

The bowl is lavishly decorated in the Rose Canton style, a type of Chinese Famille Rose decoration popular in the mid-19th century. The design is characterized by crowded, colorful, and detailed enamel painting covering the steep sides entirely.

Dimensions: 18 1/2 inches diameter x 8 3/8 inches in height.

Historical Context: The Rise of the Pastiche

The 19th century witnessed a massive surge in the collecting of ceramics, especially the elaborate porcelains imported from China. Founded in 1845, Edmé Samson et Cie capitalized on this trend by becoming the world's leading producer of high-quality copies and reproductions. Their work ranged from faithful replicas of Meissen and Sèvres to this stunning Chinoiserie piece.

This punch bowl reflects two distinct eras of global trade and taste: the original 19th-century Chinese export market that fueled the European aristocracy's taste for the exotic, and the 19th-century collecting fever that demanded technically perfect reproductions. Samson's artisans were masters of this technique, expertly matching the texture, palette, and complexity of the original Famille Rose wares, making their pieces significant historical markers in the study of Western decorative arts.

Decoration and Style
• Exterior: Features five large panels depicting intricate Chinese garden and interior scenes populated with figures. These scenes are framed by a prominent, gilded Greek-key border, highlighting the blend of Asian subject matter with a Western classical motif.

• Ground: The background is densely filled with a vibrant millefleurs arrangement of leaves, flowers, butterflies, and Taoist symbols, maximizing the visual opulence of the piece.

• Interior: Continues the complexity with four side panels and a large central scene, all reflecting the bowl's use as a grand statement piece for large social gatherings. The rim is finished with a band of flowers and butterflies set against a rich gilt ground.

This piece is a testament to the Victorian-era fascination with Chinoiserie and the technical brilliance of the Samson factory in capturing the exotic and colorful aesthetic of its Chinese predecessors.


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