American Empire Rarity

   American Empire,  is a French inspired, Neoclassical Style of American furniture, that takes it's name and orginates from the Empire Style, introduced during the First French Empire period, under Napolean's Rule.  It gained it's greatest popularity in the US after 1820 and is considered the second,most robust phase of the Neoclassical Style, which earlier had been expresses in the Adams Style in Britian and the Louis XVI, in France. As an early-19th century design movement, in the US, it encompassed architecture,furniture and decorative arts, as well as the visual arts. Often referred to as the Grecian Style, generally displayed plainer surfaces, in curved forms,highly figured mahogany vaneer and sometimes gilt decorations.
  True Empire American can sometimes be mistaken with a latter stlye, known as Empire Revival. This movement took place in the latter part of the 19th century. It was most often, made of Oak and was far heavier in form than the real American Empire Period. These pieces were usually  dining room buffets and bed room chest and dressers. Once you see the difference in the two styles there is no comparison.But, both had there place in history.
   The American Empire period, lasted from 1820-1840. Some pieces were made after that, but the greatest amount were produced in those earlier years. Most pieces were made in American and the  best factories were found in New York and Philladelphia.



American Empire Plate Stand.

 


If you look close you can see the brass rollers.



See the Curved Door.

Glass Dome with Wax Flowers on Top.

Maghogany Veneer.

    The little cabinet that I am  showing to day, is not as common as most, and some might even call it a rarity. It is a Plate Stand or Cabinet. Some people confuse  this with a commode, used in the bed room, but this one, is for sure a dining room piece ,made for plates. It is made of solid mahogany and is true to the simple form. It is just the perfect size for  10 to 12 inch dinner plates. The curved door is hinged and when open, gives ample room to fill and remove the plates. It is American and has a white Italian marble top. Tiny brass rollers make it easier to move about. This would be placed in the dining room and would make plates available to the servants or the Mistress of the house.
  I am sure in it's day, the top would have been left empty, so plates could be placed there, as they were being moved about. I chose to use it as a pedestal, as true to most Victorian Home people, I have more stuff than places to put it. I keep one of my glass parlor domes on mine. The dome is full of wax flowers and they are held in place, with a French wire basket, that has been dipped in wax.
   I sometimes rent, My Old Historic House, for parties, and I need lots of plates. They are not always easy to store in between uses, so this little gem, sure comes in handy.

One for the Maid,Two for the Butler, Three for Tea.




Brass Turtle Servents Bell.

 





Push its head to ring.

  




Or push his tale to ring.

  


Detail of the back.



Just wind it up.

   This little  brass, Turtle Servants Bell ,is one of my favorite things. It was made in India or Turkey ,or some where in that direction. I am not sure of its age.  And I am almost sure ,that it is not as old, as My Old Historic House-1845-1860. But I just love it, and it is always a hit with the tourist who come to tour the house. I keep it on the dining room table, and always some one will ask, "What is that?". I push his head or tail, as they both will make the bell ring, and say, "one for the maid, two for the buttler and three for tea." Sad thing is, no matter how many times I ring it, neither the maid nor the butler comes. I must have a word with the servants.   On the back of the turtle is a beautiful design, carved and painted . There is a wind up on the bottom. It is only 4 inches long, but makes such a big statement. I was at a dear friends house one Christmas for a party and I fell for this little turtle, I could not stop talking about it, or pushing it to make it ring. The hostest at the party ,gifted me with this little toy, the very next year  for Christmas. Sometimes it pays to be foreward!

Old Paris For Sale

One of a Pair. 15 inches tall and 8 inches wide.$350.00 the pair.



The back side. 



Two covered dishes in  White and Gold.

  I have these pieces of Old Paris porcelain for sale in my Antique/Gift Shop in Clarksville,Missouri. My shop is only a block  from ,My Old Historic House, AKA ,The 1845 Historic Elgin / Cottrell House. Clarksville is about 70 miles from St.Louis. It is a small  town on the banks of the Mississippi River. We are one of the few towns left, that the main street ,still faces the river. The shops of Clarksville are mostly Artist and Antique Dealers. We are a close  group and work hard to promote or little town. Be sure and visit us at http://www.clarksvillemo.us/. If you are interested  in the Old Paris give me a call. 573-242-9688
Also visit on on line shop at   http://www.richadsgreatstuff.etsy.com/

VIEUX PARIS

     Old Paris porcelain, or as the French say, Vieux Paris, refers not to a single Manufacturer, but to more than thirty porcelian sources, based with in the city of Paris, between the mid 1700's until around 1870, at the end of the Second Empire.The term was not actually used until the latter part of that period.
    The various Paris Artisans, mostly situated in the northeast side of Paris,housed their skills in a hury or went out of business. At the outset, they had to compete with King Louis XV's own Royal Manufactory at Sevres, just 18 miles to the south-west of the city. Old Paris manufactures catered more quickly to changing styles and customs. By the turn of the nineteenth century,nearly all Old Paris porcelain was the hard paste variety.



One of a Pair of Vases on Mantle in Down River Parlor.



Unusual Oriental Design.

Down River Parlor Mantle.

   No mark ever came to synonymous with Old Paris china. Around 70 % of the Old Paris production during its era had no mark at all. Much of the blanks or "white ware" were produced by Limoge or Sevres. The Old Paris producers job, was strickly to act as decorators. But magnificent works came from these people. Style from Neo- Classical, Rococo Revival to Renaissance Revival.
   With the sensitivity to changing times, the various exponents of Old Paris porcelain are among the finest European porcelain produced of that time.
   Some antique dealers and colectors do not consider Old Paris to be so fine. Especially when they compare it to Meissen, Sevres or KPM. But, I for one, love it as much, or not more. The artist who did the decorating of Old Paris were very talented. They knew how to paint, and there flowers are my favorite.
    Old Paris porcelains have a historical Rococo Revival style and are quite popular around the world. Such porcelains are particulary popular in the American South, with large collections of Old Paris in the Antebellum great houses in the lower Mississippi River valley.
    When porcelain competetion picked up and new innovative Old Paris products were being produced by numerous factories in and around Paris, manufactures were forced to bring the prices down and the quality up in order to gain a fair share of the market.The range of product widen and so did the designs and variety, hence giving the masses a wide spectrum of choices in Old Paris.



Minatures in Down River Parlor.



One of a Pair on Etergee in Up River Parlor.

Back side of above.

Close up of Romantic Scene.

Rose Wood Etergee in Up  River Parlor with 2 Pair of Old Paris Vases.

Fan Vase ,one of a Pair, with Tulips ,in Up River Parlor.

Close Up of Hand Painted Tulip.

Old Paris Rococo Clock in Up River Parlor.



Pair of Fan Vases in Entrance  Hall.



Close Up Detail of Painting.

Old Paris  Tea Pot with Hand Painted Ivy.



A wall in the Master Bath.





Pair Old Paris Vases on Mantle in Master Bed Room.

 

Napoleans Wedding Scene.

Backside.



View of the Master Bed Room Mantle.



Old Paris Fan Vase on Pier Mirror in Down River Parlor.

Hand Painted Lilac are Unusual.

Very Rare and Unusual Piece of Old Paris with Portrait and Cherub.



Old Paris Covered Cup and Saucer.



A Gift of Frienship.



Mantle in Down River Parlor with Pair of Old Paris Vases.



Minature Old Paris Plate on Stand with Goat.

Minature Old Paris Ring Box.



Tea Table in Down River Parlor with Old Paris Minatures.



    Great amounts of Old Paris was produced for the American market. Often people taking the "grand tour", shipped many of these pieces back to America. Soon American merchants, were having crates brought in for sale, here in the stores, of Americas large cities.
   I love the Rococo style. The Neo- Classical is far more rare and valuable.But the Rococo is loud,bright and really stands out. I have always been attracted to tasteful gaudy. I have always loved Old Paris and only regret that I can not afford more pieces. Once in awhile, I find something wonderful, that is affordable, but usually the prices are over my head. So, I am gratefull, for the pieces I have. Small chips and cracks, never  bother me, when it comes to Old Paris. I just look the other way when it comes to these monor flaws. It is more affordable in the East and Mid West, than it is in the South. Southern people love their Old Paris.One of the most beautiful sets of Old Paris dinner ware is in a home in Natchez, Mississippi. After seeing it, I fell in lust.
   I hope you enjoy seeing my, Old Paris, as much, as I enjoy sharing it with you.  I have some pieces for sale in my shop. Richard's Great Stuff in Clarksville, Mo. If you have any interest just call me or email. 573- 242 -9688. cottrellprissy@aol.com
   If you would like to know more about my little town, Clarksville,Mo., stop by for a visit. http://www.clarksvillemo.us/
  If you would like to check  out my own line shop, click here. http://www.richadsgreatstuff.etsy.com/