Gorgeous antique French Sevres enamel miniature 4.5" tall candle holder or bud vase pair with applied 'jewel' and seed pearl like cabochons, ornate metallic gold enamel filigree style decoration and both in wonderful condition! From enamelists working in the decorative arts community surrounding that of the old Sevres porcelain works or perhaps similar workshops of Bresse (Bressan). The processes are very much the same, really, and a dual-industry emerged in this distinct decorative style by the 1800s. They are NOT Manufactory du Sevres items, but from the village artisans, much as the enamels of Limoges emerge in the same village as later decorative porcelain work. The process is very similar, working with muddy porcelain 'slip' and then kiln-firing so that the finished decorative surface emerges upon melting. A very arduous and difficult process here, the emulsions are painted on copper plaques, in this case convex ones - 5 of them in all, and one like this would have gone through numerous kiln-firings to achieve the finished product. Jeweled raised dots of thick enamel add a jewel-like feature. The main purveyor of these in 19th century was TAHAN, a luxury good purveyor and cabinetry shop, and quite regularly I find them still with an engraved lock plate noting TAHAN links. A lovely and unique matched pair here, perfect as desk top decorative pieces to accentuate a similarly enameled jewelry casket, inkwell or writer's set (of which we have a few fabulous pieces available so be sure to browse some while you're with us). Thanks!
Very good condition, age and materials considered. Just found this one pair France, and they has no obvious evidence of restoration other than three small chips in the blue area near the centers (visible in the first image) that have been filled with a slightly lighter blue enamel repair paint. They work great with candles, add a pair of glass bobeche and your'e set. No damage to the base/feet. See pictures for all measurements.
