"Antique Porcelain Figurine Of A Dandy, Samson, France, Late 19th Century."
This antique porcelain figurine, created by the renowned French porcelain manufacturer Samson in the late 19th century, depicts a finely dressed gentleman or "dandy" in elaborate attire. The figurine is adorned with a burgundy mackintosh, pink curved hat, and blue buckled shoes, reflecting the elegance and fashion of a bygone era. The figurine is beautifully glazed and features intricately hand-painted polychrome details, which add vibrancy and depth to the piece. It sits gracefully on a round rococo base, embellished with touches of gold that enhance its opulence and artistic appeal. The workmanship of this figurine is remarkable, characterized by intricate detail and meticulous execution, particularly evident in the delicately sculpted face and fingers. Each element of the composition is rendered with precision, reflecting the high level of artistry associated with the Samson factory. The base bears a Samson style mark, commonly used on replicas of German porcelain, and features the letter "R" on the back of the pedestal. The Samson Porcelain Factory, founded by Edmé Samson in Paris in 1845, was known for its high-quality reproductions of historical and museum-quality ceramics. Samson's express intention was to make high-quality reproductions of ceramics displayed in museums and private collections. The factory specialized in creating faithful replicas of famous porcelain styles from Meissen, Chantilly, Chelsea, Derby, and even Chinese porcelain. Samson's reproductions were so well made that they were often mistaken for the originals, although the factory took care to clearly mark their pieces to avoid deception. Samson & Co. worked primarily with hard porcelain, as opposed to the soft porcelain often used for the originals they imitated. They often produced works in different sizes or colors to differentiate them from the originals. Although they are replicas, Samson pieces have become highly sought-after collectors' items, prized for their finely painted details and carefully modeled figures. But at a certain stage of development, Samson copies became more valuable than the originals. Samson porcelain has gained a reputation for its finely painted and carefully modeled porcelain figures that it retains today for collectors.
Dimensions: Height 20 cm, width 12 cm, depth 10 cm, weight 572 grams.
Condition: The figurine is in perfect condition, with only minor rubbing to the gold accents on the base. The enamel is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks or restorations, and retains a very glossy finish, which may cause reflections in the photographs.
Please read the accompanying photographs carefully, as they are an integral part of this description. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Shipping costs include labor, packaging and postage.