Dihl et Guerhard Paris Empire Porcelain Vase Camaieu Vert Classical Figures

A rare and important Empire-period Paris porcelain campana vase, attributed to Manufacture de M. Guerhard et Dihl (Manufacture du Duc d'Angoulême), Paris, c.1781-1828. Dihl et Guerhard was one of the most distinguished porcelain factories of the Empire period, holding royal patronage and producing pieces of museum quality.

The vase is of classical campana form raised on a square plinth foot, the white hard-paste ground decorated with a continuous figural frieze in camaïeu vert (green grisaille) depicting two classical maidens in flowing draperies. The decoration is framed by a gilt anthemion border at the rim and a band of gilt ivy/laurel trailing around the lower body. The handles are formed as gilt classical herm masks — Egyptianesque female heads — which together with the gadrooned lower body are characteristic of the highest-grade Empire Paris porcelain.

The base bears an iron-red script mark consistent with Dihl et Guerhard. Reference: pieces by this factory are held in the V&A, the Met, the Wallace Collection, and the Sevres Museum.

CONDITION DISCLOSURE: The vase has an old restoration to the rim, with visible old glue residue and overpaint to the rim and to portions of the figural frieze. The piece is structurally stable but cosmetically the restoration is currently rough and could be substantially improved by a professional ceramics restorer — Plowden & Smith or equivalent could remove the old work, rebond cleanly with HXTAL, and re-gild for a near-invisible finish. The maker, form, and quality of the underlying piece comfortably justify the restoration investment.

Please refer carefully to all photographs of the damage. Sold as-is for restoration. An exceptional opportunity to acquire a piece by one of the great Paris factories at a fraction of restored-condition retail.

Dimensions: Approximately 23 cm tall.

From a private UK collection. Carefully packed and dispatched via insured tracked service.