Pair Of Porcelain Figurines Attributed To Jacob Petit Style Circa Mid-19th Century

This exquisite pair of antique porcelain figurines, made in the style of the famous French artist Jacob Petit, depicts a couple dating from the mid-19th century. The figurines are impeccably cast, with natural poses and expressive facial features, which attest to the artist's exceptional skill. Each figurine is hand-painted and decorated with gold highlights and intricate designs, which add to their charm and elegance. The woman holds a delicate flower in her right hand and displays an expression of slight embarrassment, while the gentleman is dressed in an equally refined outfit. Both figurines are mounted on rococo-style bases decorated with gilded acanthus scrolls, which enhance their aesthetic appeal. These pieces are made in the style of Jacob Petit (1796-1868), originally Jacob Mordecai, a famous 19th-century French porcelain maker. Petit began his career studying drawing in the studio of Antoine-Jean Gros before joining the famous Sèvres factory in 1822, where he painted porcelain objects. After travelling and studying throughout Europe, Petit returned to France in 1830–31 and published a comprehensive collection of interior decorations. With his brother Mardochée, Petit purchased a porcelain factory in Fontainebleau in 1830 and moved his activities to Paris in 1863. Petit's works are noted for their purely ornamental character, including vases, statuettes and clocks. His high-quality porcelain pieces, often fired in Limoges, are characterised by a distinct colour palette: pale pink, light green, mauve, black and gold. His designs are idiosyncratic interpretations of the 18th-century Rococo style, reflecting the neo-Rococo aesthetic in vogue during the reign of Louis-Philippe (1830–48). In the second half of the 19th century, Petit had the distinction of selling unpainted porcelain molds to the Russian Imperial Porcelain Manufactory of Emperor Alexander II, who then had them decorated by Russian artists. These pieces often bear a double mark: the French mark and the mark of Alexander, overglazed inside a blue laurel wreath. The motifs of Petit products are mainly inspired by 18th-century porcelain, typical of the neo-rococo style. On the collectors' market, Jacob Petit's works, particularly clocks and porcelain figurines, are highly sought after and appreciated. Note: the pedestals on which the figurines rest are pierced with holes, which probably indicates that a previous owner intended to transform them into lamps. Dimensions of the object: Height of the figurines: 26.5 cm, width: 9 cm, depth: 10 cm. Total weight of the two figurines: 1668 grams. Condition: The female figurine has minor damage - two fingertips on her right hand are chipped. The male figurine has a chipped index finger on his left hand. There is also some minor loss of gold paint due to age. Otherwise, both pieces are in excellent condition. Please study the accompanying photographs carefully, as they are an integral part of this description. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Please note that shipping costs include labor, packaging and postage.