Old Paris Porcelain – Rococo Revival

Description

This piece is an antique Old Paris (Vieux Paris) hard-paste porcelain double inkstand (écritoire), executed in the ornate Rococo Revival style.

• Form & Structure: The stand features a flared, rectangular casket form elevated on four high-relief, scrolled rocaille feet. The top plateau features two molded central quill/pen holder wells flanked by two main apertures.
• Wells & Function: It retains its original inkwell insert and a matching pounce pot (sander) with a pierced, gilded sifter disc for drying handwritten script.
• Lids & Finials: Both the inkwell and sander are fitted with domed porcelain covers surmounted by naturalistically modeled, hand-painted figural butterfly finials.
• Palette & Enameling:
  • Front & Back: Decorated in a rich emerald-green ground lavishly framed with raised gilt foliate scrolls and grape clusters. The front cartouche features a hand-painted floral bouquet centered on a pink rose; the reverse cartouche features a polychrome songbird perched on a branch.
  • Sides: Contrasting coral/iron-red side panels painted with vertical trailing gilt vine tendrils.
  • Top Deck: Finished in a soft lavender-pink wash with gilded rims around the wells and pen apertures.

Origin, Maker, and Date

• Who made this: Produced by a Parisian porcelain manufactory or decorating atelier (Vieux Paris). While many such luxury desk wares were left unsigned, the eccentric modeling, vibrant contrasting ground colors, and figural butterfly finials strongly align with the workshop and influence of Jacob Petit (1796–1868) or a closely competing top-tier Paris atelier.
• Where was this made: Paris, France (and surrounding Île-de-France manufactories).
• When was this made: Circa 1840–1860 (Mid-19th Century, spanning the late Louis-Philippe and early Napoleon III / Second Empire periods).