Large 19th Century Copper Fish Poacher from France

This fantastic faience jardiniere and pedestal were hand-painted in Boulogne, France (formally “Boulogne-sur-Mer”) in the late 1800’s. The vibrant set features heraldic displays set among foliate and floral illustrations. Both the pedestal and the jardiniere have white backgrounds festooned with green leaves and blue, yellow, orange, and purple flowers. The opening of the jardiniere has asymmetrical edges dotted by small piercings, with flowering vines painted along the inner rim. Exquisite handles, comprised of curled leaves and C-scrolls, are affixed to the sides of the lobed body. Numerous painted motifs grace the area between the handles, including drapery, scrolls, and floral baskets hanging from an arabesque border. Equally impressive décor can be seen on the tetrapartite stand with a molded top. Each layer of the molding has a different color scheme, ranging from yellow with volute embellishments to solid green. The neck of the stand has been adorned with floral displays above multi-colored scrolls, shells, and scalloped leaves. In the center of each scalloped leaf is a distinct heraldic shield: on one side is a French style shield representing the city of Boulogne, with a swan that symbolizes perfection. On the opposite side is coat of arms topped by a closed crown, emblazoned with a five-fold cross over three roundels, which is the coat of arms for Godfrey of Bouillon, the first ruler of Jerusalem, who was born in Boulogne. Beneath the coat of arms are a pair of scrolled feet adorned with scalloped leaves and scrolls. There are two more feet to the sides that have pierced elements with floral vines beneath. Our 19th century hand-painted faience jardiniere on pedestal...

Hand-carved in Florence, Italy, in the 1800s, this tall wooden urn has been finished with a white lacquer and golden elements inspired by nature. A golden fruit bouquet arises from t...

This stunning lidded urn might have once been found in a 19th century Italian apothecary. The front of the shaped urn body has the hand-painted phrase “C. Violaru”, which is the heavily abbreviated form of the Latin word for violet (violaceum). Up until the mid-1700’s, apothecaries would make syrups from violets and use it to treat kidney ailments. Above the Latin wording is a whimsical musical scene with a man blowing a horn leading a couple who is holding hands over rocky terrain lined with shrubbery. A large house and trees can be seen behind the trio with a pair of mountains in the distance. On the opposite side of the urn is a floral display with a bird perched on a rock. Beneath the bird is a geometric design, possibly a stylized sun with radiating beams of light. Both scenes are segmented by a pair of thin quarter round moldings that encircle the entire vase. Other hand-painted motifs include floral and foliate margents, geometric patterns, and Vitruvian waves that are infilled with horizontal fluting. The sides of the urn have a fish-scale background beneath two mustachioed mascarons. Both men have been styled in grotesque fashion, with a pair of spiraled horns emanating from their heads. In between the horns is a looping handle that is affixed to the body in similar tight spirals. The domed lid has three scrolled arms that merge in a geometric finial. The base color of the urn is white, with illustrations in a monochromatic cobalt oxide blue, reminiscent of Delft blue pottery...

Based on the exquisite detailing and brass embellishments, this rare copper water fountain would have most likely belonged to a wealthy French family in the 1600s. While not a founta...