Early 19th Century Old Paris Vieux Paris Wedding Vases, Hand Painted, Pair

French porcelain. For many years, the secrets of porcelain were the domain of the King himself. Disclosing those secrets held the penalty of death. The French Revolution changed all that as many factories, post revolution, sprung up around Paris. Known for its white ground and exuberant painting and gilt, Old Paris porcelain is still engaging today.

Many vases made during the 19th c. were actually used as spill vases. Vases placed on the mantle to hold spill. What is spill, you might ask? It was a small roll or twist of paper, or a splinter of wood used for lighting a fire or a lamp. They were often made in pairs.

Some vases were specifically for weddings and were known as vase d’Eglise marièe, or wedding church vase. Couples were expected to provide vases with flowers to the church for their nuptials.

These vases, with theirs birds, nest, and baby birds were clearly made for a wedding. The family of birds acting as symbols of prosperity, family, and fertility. Robin’s egg blue for the main body color of the vase reinforces the theme. A hand-painted floral cartouche is the focus of the main body.

The adult birds are rendered in bisque porcelain while the rest of the piece is glazed. The bisque birds were then gilded. An unusual treatment, but successful in highlighting the birds – a clear reference to groom and bride.

No makers mark; each bottom has a small “8” painted on it.

Lovely for the collector of Old Paris or as a wedding gift.