Bourdois & Bloch Paris Porcelain Lace Musical Couple c.1868–1887
£600.00
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A French porcelain lace group produced by the Paris atelier of M.E. Clauss/Bourdois & Bloch, circa 1868-1887. This cabinet-scale composition reflects the Rococo Revival taste of Second Empire decorative porcelain, combining delicate modelling, elaborate lacework and richly coloured hand-enamelled decoration.
The group depicts a musical scene with a standing gentleman beside a seated young lady positioned behind a harp. The tall harp creates a more sculptural effect than is typically found in smaller Paris porcelain lace groups, giving the composition a stronger decorative presence.
The bodies are executed in glazed hard-paste porcelain, while the lace cuffs, collars and dress flounces are formed in delicate biscuit porcelain using the "porcelain lace" technique developed in France during the Second Empire period. Real lace was coated in porcelain slip and burned away during firing, leaving intricate porcelain lacework of exceptional fragility.
The underside bears the underglaze crossed-swords mark used by the Paris porcelain atelier of M.E. Clauss, later associated with Bourdois & Bloch. Historical references record that the workshop was active as a Paris porcelain decorating studio by 1822. The porcelain bodies were most likely produced in Limoges and decorated in the Paris atelier, which specialised in luxury porcelain, including table services, vases, groups and statuettes, with decoration inspired by Chardin, Watteau and Boucher. Their porcelain was already exported worldwide during this period. The company later continued under the Porcelaine de Paris name.
Dimensions:
Height 16.7 cm
Width 12 cm
Depth 10.5 cm
Weight 582 g
Condition:
The gentleman is missing the fingernail on the little finger of the right hand and there are minor damages to the lace decoration. Otherwise magnificent antique condition with very well preserved enamels and gilding.
Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance.
Bourdois & Bloch Paris Porcelain Lace Musical Couple c.1868–1887
£600.00
The group depicts a musical scene with a standing gentleman beside a seated young lady positioned behind a harp. The tall harp creates a more sculptural effect than is typically found in smaller Paris porcelain lace groups, giving the composition a stronger decorative presence.
The bodies are executed in glazed hard-paste porcelain, while the lace cuffs, collars and dress flounces are formed in delicate biscuit porcelain using the "porcelain lace" technique developed in France during the Second Empire period. Real lace was coated in porcelain slip and burned away during firing, leaving intricate porcelain lacework of exceptional fragility.
The underside bears the underglaze crossed-swords mark used by the Paris porcelain atelier of M.E. Clauss, later associated with Bourdois & Bloch. Historical references record that the workshop was active as a Paris porcelain decorating studio by 1822. The porcelain bodies were most likely produced in Limoges and decorated in the Paris atelier, which specialised in luxury porcelain, including table services, vases, groups and statuettes, with decoration inspired by Chardin, Watteau and Boucher. Their porcelain was already exported worldwide during this period. The company later continued under the Porcelaine de Paris name.
Dimensions:
Height 16.7 cm
Width 12 cm
Depth 10.5 cm
Weight 582 g
Condition:
The gentleman is missing the fingernail on the little finger of the right hand and there are minor damages to the lace decoration. Otherwise magnificent antique condition with very well preserved enamels and gilding.
Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance.