S/2 19th Century French White & Gold Porcelain Compotes w/ Family Crest For Sale

S/2 19th Century French White & Gold Porcelain Compotes w/ Family Crest.

This exceptional pair is free of chips, cracks, and repairs! A magnificent pair in even greater condition! Stored away for decades in the basement of the estate of a well-regarded and travelled curator at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She only collect the finest of the fine, some pieces from this estate have been sold to buyers in France already!

While the specifics regarding these is unknown, it is reasonably believed they were acquired in Europe, in approximately the 1960\'s, and are believed to be pre 1890 based on fabrication methods, lack of markings, and based on other items from the same estate. These are some of the few which are not artist signed.

Featured on the center and on either side of the base of both compotes, is a family crest from what is believed to be a royal coat of arms. The application of just a crest was used in situations where the entire coat of arms would be impractical.

The pair are constructed of dense, bright porcelain, embossed and pierced along the edge with handpainted gold details over the piercing/embossing.

Many theories could be made as to their original use. The large, rectangular shape with the sunken rectangle within suggests possibly a soap dish? Or another dish in which the center provided a safe landing/perimeter to rest whatever may have been placed within. Others are they serve as stands for planters, for serving food, or even may have been filled with a little bit of water, as a pool for rinsing one\'s fingers following a meal, if the meal is not served à la russe (in this case, finger bowls with water would be served to each guess in between courses as opposed to a common pool visited by guests following a meal)

The family crest appears to be an arm, in a lavish coat, wielding a scimitar. This usually indicates a family involved in business and commerce. The spots within the sleeve have meaning specific to their shape, but alas it has been near impossible to further decipher the crest without having any idea about which coat of arms it descends from.

These are not to be missed! They are truly something special with a history only one wish they could tell!!

Each compote is identical, except of course for minimal variations that occur in handmade porcelain. Each stands 4 ¼\" tall, and measure 11\" by 9\". Each weighs about 3lbs.

Please reach out if you have any questions! Items will be packed with care and Shipped with FedEx.