Biscuit-porcelain Set By Henri Ardant And Laporte, Limoges, 1880

Three-piece set made of bisque porcelain — Henri Ardant and Laporte, Limoges, circa 1878–1882
Very good condition; some minor chipping on the base of the bowl (photo)
No restoration
Vase height: 55 cm
Bowl: 37x46x26 cm

A set of white porcelain bisque in the Neo-Renaissance style, consisting of a pair of large vases and an oval bowl on a pedestal.
The vases feature an ovoid body surmounted by a long, flared neck with a scalloped rim. Their openwork handles combine floral and foliage scrolls with figures of partially draped children, their arms raised above their heads. Female mascarons crowned with flowers adorn their lower attachments.
The bowl echoes this decoration in a larger composition, with two children framing a basin with a scalloped rim. The three pieces rest on molded feet adorned with floral motifs in relief.
The smooth surfaces contrast with the detailed modeling of the figures and ornaments, emphasized by the matte finish of the bisque.

The incised marks beneath the bases read “H. A. et L.,” corresponding to Henri Ardant and Laporte. This attribution places the set around 1878–1882, during their partnership in Limoges.

Founded in Limoges in 1858, the Henri Ardant factory specialized in artistic porcelain, particularly sculptures and decorative objects made of bisque. This unglazed porcelain features a white, matte surface reminiscent of marble, which allows for the rendering of detailed modeling.
The manufactory produced designs by sculptors such as Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse and Martial-Adolphe Thabard. The figures of *Le Romain* and *La Romaine*, based on designs by Carrier-Belleuse, were notably exhibited at the 1867 Paris World’s Fair. These collaborations reflect the connection between sculpture and the decorative arts in the company’s production.
Raymond Laporte, Henri Ardant’s son-in-law, went into business with him in 1878. Their collaboration continued until 1882. Laporte then had a new factory built in Limoges in 1883, dedicated to art porcelain, and continued, in particular, to produce models originally created by the Ardant firm.