Pair Of Samson Porcelain Figurines After Derby, 19th Century, With Dog And Sheep

Rare 19th Century Pair of Samson Derby-Style Porcelain Figurines with Dog and Sheep, Hand-Painted, Rococo Revival

This fine pair of mid-19th century porcelain figurines was produced by the celebrated Samson factory of Paris, renowned for its high-quality reproductions of historic ceramics. Modelled in the charming Derby style, the shepherd and shepherdess capture a lively pastoral scene typical of Rococo revival taste, rich in colour, movement, and fine decorative detail.

The boy is depicted standing barefoot, mischievously plucking berries into his hat while playfully flicking them at the girl. He wears a cobalt blue coat lined in puce and yellow breeches decorated with tiny floral motifs. Beside him sits a faithful white dog. The shepherdess, shielding herself with a raised hand, is dressed in a puce bodice, cobalt blue skirt, and yellow apron adorned with red floral sprigs. She stands next to a small white sheep, further enhancing the rustic charm of the composition.

Both figures stand upon rococo-style bases richly hand-painted with greenery and scattered applied flowers, highlighted with scrolling gilded ornament. The enamelling is finely executed in vibrant cobalt blue, puce, yellow, green, and red tones, enhanced by shimmering gilded details. The underside of each base bears a hand-painted red crown mark, a deliberate imitation of the famous Derby porcelain mark, along with the Samson factory's distinctive red windmill/swastika emblem, confirming their authentic 19th-century Samson origin.

The craftsmanship is exemplary, with crisp modelling, finely observed naturalistic details, and a high-quality hand-painted finish characteristic of Samson's finest production. These figures make a striking addition to any collection of 19th-century European porcelain, and are ideal for Rococo revival or French country style interiors.

Historical Background
Founded by Edmé Samson in Paris in 1845, the Samson factory quickly gained renown for its faithful reproductions of important porcelain styles, including Meissen, Chelsea, Chantilly, Derby, and Chinese export wares. While created as respectful copies for collectors and museums, Samson pieces are now highly collectible in their own right, prized for their artistic quality, rich decoration, and expert craftsmanship. In many cases, the finest Samson works have become as valued as their original inspirations.

Measurements
Boy
Weight: 1304 g
Height: 25 cm / 9.84″
Width: 13.5 cm / 5.31″
Depth: 12.5 cm / 4.92″

Shepherdess
Weight: 1254 g
Height: 25 cm / 9.84″
Width: 14 cm / 5.51″
Depth: 14 cm / 5.51″

Condition
Very good antique condition overall. The modelling remains crisp and expressive, and the vibrant enamelling and gilding are very well preserved. Minor flaws include small chips to a few applied leaves and flowers, slight scratches to the tree trunk beside the boy, and a small flake of paint to the rear. The shepherdess is missing the fingertips of her left hand; both of her hands appear to have been professionally restored, along with retouching to the front of her dress. These restorations are unobtrusive and do not detract from the display value. Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.

Shipping & Packaging

• Fully tracked and insured delivery.
• Shipping cost includes professional packaging, handling, and postage.
• Carefully packed using recycled materials.

Please review all photos carefully, as they form part of the description, and feel free to ask any questions.