DARTE FRÈRES

Campana Vases

French
Circa 1815

This exceptional pair of Empire-period campana vases was crafted by Darte Frères, one of the most highly regarded of the 19th-century Paris factories. Alongside Sèvres, Darte Frères crafted some of the most highly coveted porcelain of the age. Though Sèvres was the older of the factories, Darte Frères emerged as a chief rival in 1795, eventually attracting the attention of the Emperor Napoléon and Empress Joséphine.

These vases are exceptional examples of their output. Exquisitely hand-painted classical scenes envelop the front panel of each form, reflecting the neoclassical tastes of the age. On the reverse are superbly detailed still lifes that symbolize wealth and abundance, with
blooming flowers, a lady’s jewels, and an exotic bird all depicted atop an Empire console. Such works also adorned the apartments of the Emperor and Empress, making the style quite popular amongst the French elite.

$54,500