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Item Specifics
Brand: Apollinaris
Type: Match Striker / Pyrogène & Match Holder
Material: Glazed & Bisque Porcelain
Era/Year: Circa 1890s–1910s (Late Victorian / Belle Époque)
Dimensions: 3 in H x 3.5 in Base Diameter
Origin: France / Continental Europe
Model/Pattern #: Cobalt Blue Advertising Ware
This authentic antique porcelain advertising pyrogène dates to the turn of the 20th century, made for Parisian cafés, bistros, and hotel dining tables promoting Apollinaris, the celebrated mineral water heralded as "The Queen of Table Waters." Designed as both a tabletop match holder and striker, it features a ribbed, unglazed bisque central barrel formulated for "strike-anywhere" matches, flanked by a generous central match well and a broad flared pedestal foot.
Very Good antique condition commensurate with age and commercial café use. Heavy porcelain body remains structurally sound with no chips, cracks, hairlines, or fleabites along the upper rim or outer pedestal base. The central cylinder features an unglazed, ribbed bisque striker band showing authentic age toning, light surface soiling, and light friction marks from match ignition. Cobalt blue glaze banding remains deep and glossy with minimal wear. Black transfer branding reading "Apollinaris" across the top rim and tiered flared base is crisp and fully legible. The underside base is fully glazed with an unglazed foot ring showing expected shelf contact marks; no maker backstamp is present. Free of repairs or restorations.
