Maison Giroux-inkwell From The Napoleon III Period In Enamelled Porcelain.

Maison Alphonse GIROUX in Paris (Attributed to) - With a charming presence, this delicate oval-shaped inkwell in mounted porcelain is haloed on a soft Celestial Blue background with a rich and luminous polychrome enamel decoration enhanced with gold. Its receptacle, centered on its basin with a diamond pattern, is hemmed, festooned on its curved sides with herringbone friezes, thin arches punctuated with "saw teeth" and curvilinear festoons; Jeweled with enamelled pearls in iridescent colors (ivory white) or an attractive gaiety (ruby, emerald green), pastilles, florets and drops punctuate their undulating lines. Painted in gold in a deliciously lifted touch, a precious mesh patterned with scrolls of leafy acanthus, flowered stalks, palmettes and whorls, meanders adds preciousness to this ornamental composition taken up on the body and lid of the vase forming a bucket . A bronze and gilt brass frame nicely chiseled with pearls and twisted ribbon, acanthus leaves and windings enshrines, binds and gives rhythm to the two porcelain pieces that make up the inkwell. This one, equipped with a pen rest with Rocaille motifs of broken shells, rests on a quadripod base of similar inspiration supported by a high "spinning top" foot. A penholder with a handle decorated with stylized floral motifs in champlevé enamel is added to it. On the reverse of the Inkwell, is affixed twice, carved into the frame, the monogram "MG". A jewel alongside mail holders, paperweights, stamps... adorning any desk, secretary or small writing table, the inkwell under the Second Empire was one of those typically Parisian luxury "Articles" as marketed in the much to the chagrin of its international clientele, Maison Giroux. Within this prestigious Establishment located 43 Boulevard des Capucines whose "rich galleries", "the Salons" were rented as a high place "of fantasy, art and curiosity" were offered in addition to the furniture of artistic cabinetmaking, objects of curiosity, tablets (writing cases, boxes) art bronzes, porcelains, fans, stationery, inkwells... With a very feminine grace, our inkwell monogrammed "MG" is affiliated by its light and elegant shape, its refined materials, its ornamental delicacy to the productions of this House versed in the art of transforming any functional object into "a delicious type of elegant fantasy of the best taste and the highest distinction" (Le Tintamare, 1863) Parisian work from the second half of the 19th century from the Napoleon III period attributable to La Maison Alphonse Giroux (1799-1881). Circa 1860.