1890s Decorative Objects

French Art Nouveau Inkwell by Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat, France, circa 1890. A rare and exquisite Art Nouveau inkwell by renowned French ceramist Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat (1844–1910). This finely crafted piece showcases Dalpayrat’s signature red copper-glazed stoneware, especially rich and luminous near the base. Elegantly mounted in pewter, the design exemplifies the organic flow and refined detail of the Art Nouveau period. Dimensions: Height: 3.54 in. (9 cm) Diameter: 5.12 in. (13 cm) Materials: Stoneware with pewter mount Condition: Excellent+++++, museum-quality preservation Markings: Incised signature "Dalpayrat 1500" under the base (see photo) This inkwell is a collectible example of French ceramic art at the turn of the century—perfect for collectors of Art Nouveau, 19th-century French ceramics, or the works of Dalpayrat. Adrien Dalpayrat (1844–1910): A Pioneer of French Ceramic Innovation Adrien Dalpayrat was a French ceramicist and researcher who played a key role in the revival of stoneware at the end of the 19th century. Born in 1844 in Limoges, Dalpayrat studied drawing and porcelain painting in his hometown before beginning his professional career at the Jules Vieillard faience factory in Bordeaux. There, he met his wife, Marie Tallerie, with whom he had two sons—Albert and Adolphe—who would later become his primary collaborators. Throughout his early career, Dalpayrat worked for several major ceramic manufacturers, including Ashwin (Valentine), Fouquet (Toulouse), François Blanc (Monaco), and Léon Sazerat (Limoges). In 1889, seeking greater independence, he moved to the Paris region and established his own studio in Bourg-la-Reine. Collaborations and Artistic Evolution Dalpayrat’s creative vision expanded through his collaboration with sculptor Alphonse Voisin-Delacroix. Together, they explored neo-Gothic and Palissy-inspired motifs, creating a remarkable ceramic bestiary. Following Voisin-Delacroix’s death in 1893, Dalpayrat partnered with Adèle Lesbros, which marked a shift in his work toward simpler, more refined vase forms influenced by Japonism. Japanese art had been introduced to France during the 1867 Universal Exhibition, but it wasn’t until the 1878 Exhibition, particularly through the ceremonial stoneware used in the Japanese tea ceremony, that Japonism truly captivated French artists. This influence led Dalpayrat to create vessels with organic, vegetal, and animal-inspired forms. Technical Mastery: The Secrets of Copper Red Among all the ceramists of his time who sought to replicate the elusive Chinese “sang de boeuf” (oxblood) glaze, Adrien Dalpayrat was arguably the most successful. He didn’t simply reproduce the legendary copper red—he transformed it. By manipulating glaze thickness, firing temperature, atmosphere, and copper oxide content, he developed a unique palette of flamed and mottled red glazes that became his signature: the renowned Dalpayrat red. He further enriched his pieces by introducing streaks and inclusions of turquoise, blue, green, and yellow—freeing the red glaze from monochromy and turning it into an expressive, living surface. His work pushed stoneware beyond function into expressive art, merging form and glaze in bold, sculptural harmony. Beyond Ceramics: Bronze Mounts and Architectural Works Dalpayrat also collaborated with renowned jewelers such as Ernest Cardeilhac and Keller to produce pieces mounted in gilt bronze, blending ceramics with decorative arts at the highest level. In an effort to make his work more accessible, he opened a second faience workshop focused on simpler, more affordable pieces inspired by Nevers and Rouen ware. However, this venture faced financial difficulties and closed by 1900. The main family studio followed in 1906 as the popularity of Art Nouveau declined. Dalpayrat then returned to Limoges, devoting his final years to painting and drawing until his death in 1910. Legacy and Recognition Despite financial struggles during his lifetime, Dalpayrat’s ceramics were widely acclaimed at major international exhibitions: Bronze medal, World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago (1893) Silver medal, Antwerp International Exhibition (1894) Gold medal, Exposition Universelle, Paris (1900) Today, his work is part of prestigious museum collections. In 2020, the Petit Palais in Paris acquired a large bird motif vase created in collaboration with Voisin-Delacroix, now on view in Room...

Large French Black Forest wood box, circa 1900. 11.8 by 7.3 inches , H / 5.3 inches. Music instruments Jewel box.

Large 19th Century Majolica wheat vase jardiniere with birds signed Delphin Massier. The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. The Massier family p...

Victorian Period, Continental Silver (.800), heart-form trinkets box, having a hinged lid, Germany, Ca. 1895, Ludwig Neresheimer - maker. The box lid depicts a pastoral scene - A man...

Small French Majolica Swan Jardiniere Circa 1890. Height / 4 inches. Lenght / 5.2 by 2.5 inches.

Large French Majolica tulip Cache Pot Jérôme Massier Circa 1890 Height / 7 inches. Diameter / 10 inches.

French Art Nouveau vase by François-Théodore LEGRAS, Cristallerie de Saint-Denis, France, 1890s. Blown glass vase ribbed inside. Clear glass becoming more and more purple towards the...

French Art Nouveau centerpiece planter by Victor SAGLIER, 12 rue d'Enghien , Paris, France, ca.1890. Silverplate metal. Black patina in the hollows to accentuate the reliefs. Height ...

A stylish Burmantofts Faience art pottery vase decorated in ox blood red glazes and dating from around 1890. The earthenware flask shaped vase stands on a wide round foot rim with a ...

Classic 1890s Black Forest desk accessory carved from wood in the shape of a wild boar. A lovely addition to your room or just to use on your desk. Made from hand carved wood. Found ...

Rare French Majolica asparagus tureen circa 1890. Platter & tureen.

French Faience Wall Pocket Anchor signed FF Desvres Fourmaintraux, Circa 1890.  

Charming small antique photo frame, crafted around 1890-1900, made of brass and beautifully inlaid with micro glass mosaic in delicate colors. The oval frame is finely detailed and f...

19th century Antique French Majolica Barbotine ceramic wall pocket flower vase "Confetti" . Direct from FRANCE, gorgeous hand painted design on ...

Very impressive large figure of a Mastiff Bronze Dog , It is finely detailed. The clasp holding the chain on the dog's collar is also cast bronze. Finished in a dark brown patina, ...

Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found at...

Elegant and rare Majolica stork with a bamboo vase signed Delphin Massier, circa 1890. The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels an...

Charming late 19th-century French stationery or letter box, cleverly designed in the form of a stack of antique leather-bound books. This trompe-l’œil piece was crafted with great at...

French purple Majolica Cache Pot Delphin Massier circa 1890. Height / 5.8 inches. Diameter / 6 inches.

This is a large French bronze sculpture of Vercingetorix with his son by Emile Laporte (1858 - 1901), circa 1890 in date. The standing figure of Vercingetorix wearing a winged hel...

Daum Nancy bonbonnière "Cyclamens" circa 1898 A "Cyclamens" multi-layered opalescent glass bonbonniere Acid-etched and enameled design of cyclamen flowers on a frosted pink and gree...

A good antique French cast bronze sculpture bust of Ludwig Van Beethoven, circa 1890. The bronze sculpture bust depicting the celebrated German composer & pianist; Ludwig Van Beethov...

19th Century French Faience egg basket signed Desvres Fourmaintraux.

Huge Antique French Bronze Roman Soldier Sculpture by Picault

A very fine and elegant Hungarian porcelain twin handled vase with floral reticulated designs and contrasting blue glazed panelling by renowned maker Zsolnay and dating from around 1...

Extraordinary pair of fine glazed porcelain Foo dogs came to us out of an estate here in Savannah, Georgia, belonging to an old general that long ago brought them from Thailand. Used...

Antique European rural bucket in wood and iron, 1890s Beautiful patina and wrought iron handle.

the hand-carved and finely detailed recumbent mother Retriever with raised head and glass eyes giving a direct gaze to a distant object; wearing a knotted leash attached to a thick c...

A beautiful pair of ceramic majolica vases with bronze base, made by the French brand Sarregumines. The ceramic part is nicely designed with special colors. The bronze base is gilde...

Elegant French bronze letter rack, late 19th century. The openwork design features intricate Gothic Revival motifs with stylized foliage, quatrefoils, and decorative details, complem...

19th century Italian marble bust of Aphrodite. Our antique Italian Carrara marble bust of Aphrodite is expertly carved and rests on a...

French three piece dore bronze mounted and champleve Garniture set with gilt gold design details. Each piece is in great condition with wear approp...

Of Classic vessel form, with an oval, splayed foot, narrow, waisted body and wide, flaring mouth. Very heavy and archaist vessel with lucky beetles around the sides.    

A rare and stylish Burmantofts Faience art pottery vase decorated with sun burst patterning and with a saffron glazed finish dating from around 1890. This stunning and elegant lightl...

Beautiful metal tray or catchall to hold quills. Made of cast Iron, has some nice patina, but this is old-age. A beautiful piece for your desk or any room. It was made for the 100th ...

A tall and elegant Burmantofts Faience art pottery solifleur vase decorated in bright turquoise glazes dating from around 1890. This stunning lightly potted earthenware vase stands o...

Fine metal painted head horse on horseshoe, circa 1890.  

Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the mid-19th century with our distinguished pair of Silver Plate Edwardian Period George III Style Three-Light Tableware Candelabra. This exceptio...

A stunning Art Nouveau floral design art pottery vase decorated in iridescent glazes attributed to renowned French ceramic artist Clement Massier (1845-1917) dating from the latter e...

Émile Gallé (1846-1904) Miniature baluster shape vase in opaque pink tinted glass and painted enamel applied in cabochons. Byzantine-inspired design hand-painted in polychrome enamel...

This tramp art picture frame was handcrafted and handcarved in the last decades of the 19th century. It is decorated with for pointed stars, square and rectangular pyramids, lozenge...

A Late 19th Century Indian hardwood carved Camel Table. Octagonal table top with floral design atop the camels back. Raised on a naturalistic plinth...

Lovely antique weathered solid cement garden statue of a woman in a thoughtful pose, circa 1890-1910. She displays the patina of many years spent in an English garden. With her pens...

Large French Majolica Tulip Vase Jean Massier Circa 1900. H / 13 inches.

Small Majolica Lidded Tureen Mixed Earths , circa 1890.

A very fine Aesthetic Movement Royal Worcester twin handled vase hand painted with floral designs dated 1899. The small, elegant porcelain vase stands raised on a square pedestal bas...

A rare small Art Nouveau vase produced by N.S.A. Brantjes & Co. in Purmerend, the Netherlands, between 1895 and 1904. This model, No. 1100, features the sought-after Decor A, charact...

A late 19th century-early 20th century carousel zebra by eminent creater Karl Muller in carved, painted wood. Ex-coll. Muller/Thummel studio in Molbitz, Ge...

Lovely brass photograph frame Good condition Original bevelled glass. Slight chip to one corner but not visible from the front Free UK shipping  

Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the defau...

Paul Dachsel was the son-in-law of Alfred Stellmacher, the founder of Amphora Pottery company in Turn-Teplitz, then in Austria. Very little is known or was written about Dachsel. He ...

Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved trinket box or catchall is perfect for the collector. Nice antique collectible to display in yo...

Classic early 1890s Black Forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a walnut on a leaf. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and gl...

19th Century Large French Majolica Blackberries Square Cache Pot. Height / 9 inches. 11.5 by 9.3 inches.

A French Ormolu and Patinated-Bronze ‘Chariot’ Three-pieces Clock Garniture Attributed to François Linke (1855 - 1946), Paris, Late 19th/ Century The clock representing a putto on ...

Bottle Decanter made in yellow amber glass enameled with flowers and a butterfly by Emile Gallé in the 1890s. Engraved signature. Perfect condition. Exceptional enamel. He...

A truly fabulous late nineteenth century jewelry box made from a fine example of malachite, the first image is the most true colour in person. The Malachite during this era was ag...

A striking and finely crafted pair of six-light candelabra in silver-plated nickel silver (marked "N.S."), attributed to the esteemed Swedish retailer and silversmith A.G. Dufva. The...

19th Majolica chestnut tureen signed Sarreguemines. rare Bag trompe L'oeil.

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export silver box; an addition to our collection of boxes and cases. This exceptional an...