Pair Of Porcelain Vases From The Henri Ardant Limoges Manufactory, Napoleon III Period

Pair of lidded vases on pedestals made of Limoges porcelain, produced by the prestigious Henri Ardant & Cie (active between 1858 and 1883), dating from the Napoleon III era (circa 1870). 
Each vase, oval in shape, features a cream- or ivory-colored glazed porcelain body accented with fine gold fillets. The openwork, stylized side handles are adorned with a geometric design of pearls and neoclassical motifs. The central decoration, set within a rectangular cartouche on a sky-blue or Sèvres-blue background, perfectly mimics the technique of “pâte-sur-pâte” or the ancient cameo. These relief plaques of white bisque depict mythological and allegorical scenes animated by cherubs (putti) and deities near sacrificial altars, illustrating the themes of Love, Childhood, and the pastoral arts. The collars and bases are delicately accented by decorative geometric friezes and gold dot patterns in the Neo-Pompeian style.
The second panel depicts an offering to Love, in which a young woman from antiquity performs a sacrifice before an altar, under the gaze of Cupid. The composition draws direct inspiration from the famous reliefs by John Flaxman created for Wedgwood, particularly the series Sacrifices to Hymen, one of the great successes of English Neoclassicism.
Both pieces bear, on the underside of the base, the mark “HA & C¹ᵉ” (Henri Ardant & Compagnie) engraved into the clay and set within an oval cartouche, guaranteeing the authenticity and provenance of this famous 19th-century manufactory. In 1854, the industrialist Henri Ardant first partnered with Poncet to acquire the former “Comte d’Artois” factory, one of the historic founding sites of Limousin porcelain. From 1858 to 1878, operating under the name Henri Ardant & Cie, the company established its workshops in the heart of Limoges (on Rue Cruveilhier and at the Enclos des Augustins). It quickly established itself as a premier manufacturer, renowned for its technical innovations and ambitiously shaped pieces.

• Material: Limoges hard porcelain, biscuit and gold gilding
• Manufacturer: Henri Ardant & Cie
• Period: 19th century, Napoleon III period (circa 1860–1870)
• Height: 26 cm
• Condition: In good condition, with slight signs of wear on the gilding; no cracks or chips).