64. Porcelain Sèvres Dress Cane
Ca. 1890 A striking example of refined Empire craftsmanship, this elegant handle features a globular porcelain ball knob and a short cylindrical neck, lavishly embellished with hand-painted friezes in radiant gold. These ornate motifs unfold across richly col- ored grounds of purpure, turquoise, and celadon, each hue chosen with a painter’s eye for contrast and harmony. The scrolling designs, rooted in the ornamental lan- guage of the French Empire style, speak to a period steeped in classical revivalism and opulent restraint. Encircling the porcelain is a delicately engine-turned collar, which transitions seam- lessly into a finely tapered wooden shaft, masterfully finished to evoke the depth and luster of polished mahogany. Retaining its original eyelets, the shaft is further adorned with a bound leather loop and fitted with a metal ferrule. The composition as a whole suggests the influence, if not the very hand, of the cel- ebrated Sèvres manufactory, whose works defined the artistic prestige of Napoleonic France. While the porcelain has preserved its pristine sheen, the wood bears the gentle patina of age, offering a poignant contrast between enduring bril-
liance and graceful wear. H. 2 ¾ ” x 1 ¾ ”, O.L. 37”
$400-$600
As Napoleon Bonaparte ascended to imperial power, he recognized the arts as a vital instrument of cultural authority. His patronage of porcelain, textiles, and furnish- ings helped establish the French Empire style as a national aesthetic, grand, harmo- nious, and deeply classical. This handle reflects that legacy in miniature: a utilitarian object elevated to the realm of fine art.
132 - Continental Cane Collection Auction
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