Chinese Export Style Armorial Garniture Porcelain Vase

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This trumpet-form or spill vase is an antique French porcelain reproduction of an 18th-century Chinese Export armorial piece, made in … Read more This trumpet-form or spill vase is an antique French porcelain reproduction of an 18th-century Chinese Export armorial piece, made in China or possibly manufactured by the famous Samson, Edmé et Cie factory of Paris. Known as a spill vase or trumpet-form garniture—based on its flared top, cylindrical body and stepped base—such a piece was historically used on mantels to hold rolled paper "spills" for transferring fire from the hearth to lamps and candles.
While designed to mimic a late Qing dynasty Chinese Export masterpiece, the base’s underside reveals a hand-painted "1851" iron-red inventory or pattern number characteristic of the Samson factory. Founded in 1845 by Edmé Samson, this Paris firm became legendary for creating extraordinarily high-quality, hard-paste porcelain replicas of museum-grade Chinese, Meissen, and Sèvres antiques. Pieces from Samson are highly collectible in their own right.
Arching over the coat of arms is the Latin inscription "QUINQUE COROVA," historically referring to "Five Crowns" or a specific regional, family, or institutional distinction. The center features a highly detailed, hand-painted armorial motif showcasing a crowned double-headed imperial eagle clutching a sword in its right claw and an globus cruciger (orb and cross) in its left. The eagle's chest bears an escutcheon, or shield, split into multiple fields, featuring a rampant lion on the left and a red field adorned with gold stars on the right.
The palette of this piece borrows heavily from the Famille Rose and Imari export traditions. The top and bottom rims are ringed with traditional iron-red and underglaze blue diaper/cloud scrolls and a gilded edge. The sides are flanked by delicate, hand-enameled pink chrysanthemums/peonies with iron-red foliage, designed to mimic 18th-century Chinese Export floral sprays.
Signature/Maker’s mark: Base underside factory numeric mark (photo #9). See less