“Chinese Export Style” Octagonal Porcelain Inkstand

Description

This elaborate, multi-piece octagonal porcelain inkstand is crafted in the style of 18th-century Chinese Export porcelain (specifically Famille Rose / Rose Canton):

• Form & Composition:
  • Base Structure: An octagonal, deep-walled main casing resting on bracket-style feet.
  • Removable Components: Includes two octagonal ink pots with fitted, domed lids topped by gilded acorn finials; a central rectangular dual-compartment box lid with a matching gilt finial; a central removable candlestick socket; and a wax seal.
  • Pen Rests: Two raised, scalloped blue brackets mounted on top to support quills or pens.
• Decoration & Palette:
  • Richly painted with a thick gilt ground overlaying floral sprigs, pink peonies, and bright green scrolling foliage.
  • Bordered by light blue cell patterns with dark blue line accents along the upper rim.
  • The outer vertical faces feature framed white reserves filled with hand-painted floral sprays.

Origin, Maker, and Date

• Where is it from? Paris, France.
• Who made it? Edmé Samson et Cie (Maison Samson).
• How old is it? Made in the late 19th century to early 20th century (circa 1880–1910).

Identification of the Mark

The maker is Samson.

The iron-red mark painted on the underside consists of:

1. A stylized letter “S” accompanied by small dots.
2. An adjoining pseudo-Chinese square seal character.

Samson routinely used these apocryphal red pseudo-Chinese seals—often paired with their own discreet “S” symbol—to mark high-quality reproductions of Chinese Export, Armorial, and Famille Rose wares.

History of Edmé Samson et Cie

• Founding: Established in Paris in 1845 by Edmé Samson (1810–1891).
• Specialization: Samson gained international fame for producing precise copies and interpretations of museum-quality ceramics. Rather than creating original contemporary designs, the firm specialized in reproducing:
  • Chinese Export & Japanese Imari porcelain
  • European hard- and soft-paste masterpieces (Meissen, Sèvres, Chelsea, Worcester, Derby)
  • Persian, Iznik, and Majolica earthenwares
• Materials & Craftsmanship: Unlike many early Chinese originals made of soft or specific local clay compositions, Samson utilized durable, highly translucent European hard-paste porcelain fired at high temperatures, decorated with heavy enamel work.
• Legacy: While originally intended as legal reproductions or replacements for historic dinner services and decorative sets, Samson’s exceptional quality meant that many pieces were later confused with 18th-century originals. Today, authentic 19th-century Samson porcelain is prized in its own right. The company remained operational until 1969.