Elaborate French Chinese Export type armorial bowl made by Samson Edmie et Cie, circa 1850. Samson armorials typically have one coat of arms – this has eight including a pseudo Prince of Wales and Duke of Norfolk.
The white had-paste porcelain body is decorated with eight hand-painted pseudo-armorial crests / Coat of Arms including that of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Norfolk, in the manner of Chinese armorial export ware. Deocrated in polychrome colours with extensive use of gilt paint. Within the center of the well is a large pseudo-armorial incorporating a shield flanked by a rampant crowned lion and a white (traced in black) rampant unicorn. Surrounding this armorial is a very thinly outlined cartouche formed of eight raised white (with many intentional dark inclusions) opposing c-scroll sections. This part of the decoration is similar to 18th century Chinese Qianlong Bianco Sopara Bianco / blanc on blanc / white on white / blanc de chine tracery which creates a quasi three dimensional effect similar to moriage. Arranged concentrically around the rim and extending partly onto the side of the well are seven slightly smaller pseudo-armorials. These seven consist of different design within a differently shaped shields each surmounted by a different heraldic devise and below each is a different style banner each with its own individual pseudo latin motto. Four of theses armorials are further flanked by rampant beasts. Clockwise from the top; the first by two winged Griffins, the third by a lion and unicorn, the fifth by two female lions / cats and the sixth by a gilt lion and a bull. These concentric armorials are separated by more white on white design elements consisting of stylized flowers and small purple and green floral sprigs. The bowl rests on a raised ring foot and within the center, between three stilt scars; over-glaze is signed with an imitation Chinese mark (puce in color) similar to a vertical rectangle incorporating the letter “S” with two parallel short bars crossing it in the center.
DIMENSIONS: 10 ¼” diameter x 1 7/8” high
MARKINGS: Samson red Chinese mark on base
CONDITION: An Antique it is in Excellent Condition.
