Antique French Paris Porcelain Large Vase with Applied Figurine of a Female Gardener holding a Watering Can and Floral Encrusted circa 1860 28 cm high

A great looking and highly decorative French Paris Porcelain vase with applied figurine of a young female gardener with a watering can in hand.

The vase dates from circa1860 and stands 28 cm high  It combines white and coloured bisque and glazed porcelain giving a very attractive effect. The vase has a typically French flared neck rim with a Gothic arch type relief moulded design.

The brown haired figurine at the centre stands 14 cm high and she has her pink floral skirt lifted by her left hand to reveal a blue petticoat underneath. She has a straw hat tied around her neck and resting on her back and a white shirt above a brown bodice. The watering can is in her right hand and she is looking down as she carries out her job. 

The figurine is framed by applied flower and leaf mouldings which stand proud of the vase beneath. They arch around her and at either side of her head are two white bisque roses with rosebuds. 

The vase is painted in shades of green, brown, yellow and blue behind the figurine and this gradually fades out to white towards the rim. The back of the vase is plain white and the inside and back of have a glazed finish. The base is unmarked, as is often the case with French porcelain of this period.

The vase is in good antique condition with just a minor glaze chip to the inside point of the front rim and a little chipping to the edges of the rose petals. There is a hairline crack to the back of the right hand rose stem. There is rubbing to the gilded highlights of the rim border pattern and a frit mark on the inside (right hand side) of the vase rim with a small firing tear below this, both dating from manufacture. Please see images.

The vase weighs 1028g and it is a beautiful piece to add to any collection of Paris or Continental porcelain items. 

Please see my other antique ceramics also listed for sale.