Darte Frères - Restoration period, Louis Philippe - pair of "en coussin" bottles - painted and gilded porcelain

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Pair of flasks
Painted porcelain, enhanced with gilding
Dimensions : C. 11,5 (cm.)
Paris, circa 1830

An interesting and rich pair of flacons in imitation of cushions, the corners adorned with tassels, the gilding imitating passementerie. The background, in reserve, is adorned with floral motifs and variegated birds. An uncommon but popular model: it seems to have been produced in particular by the Darte brothers, but was still found a century later by Le Tallec.
Our pair with this lush decoration was probably produced by the Darte brothers, as witnessed by a pair of planters with similar decoration and signed with a vignette, Bauvais Enchères sale, May 18, 2019.

Hard porcelain in Paris in the early 19th century
Unlike earthenware, porcelain factories flourished under the Empire, particularly in Paris. The period 1800-1820 can be considered the golden age of porcelain in Paris. Nineteen factories already existed in Paris in 1800, but only seven were founded under the Ancien Régime: Dihl et Guérard, Houzel, Lemaire et Josse, Pouyat et Russinger, Schoelcher, Despréz et Nast.
In contrast to the last twenty years of the 18th century, marked by a shift from rocaille to antique simplicity, the first thirty years of the 19th century saw the opposite, evolving from antique sobriety to rococo.

The Darte factory
Originally three brothers, in 1795 they began manufacturing porcelain and bought a factory on rue de Charonne, while at the same time opening a store in the Palais Royal. In 1804, they parted company amicably. Brothers Louis Joseph and Jean François founded a new company, retaining the name Darte Frères, and set up shop on rue de la Roquette, while Joseph Darte continued under the name "Darte Ainé à Paris" and moved to rue de Popincourt.
The brothers prospered (from 80 to 100 workers in peacetime), and an 1809 advertisement announced that the factory bore the title "Manufacture de porcelaine de S.A.I. Madame Mère de S.M. L'Empereur et Roi". In 1816, a second store opened at 16, rue Vienne (the first in the Palais Royal had been in operation since 1798). The factory took part in the 1819 exhibition and, as in 1806, won a silver medal. However, things began to get complicated in 1820, and three years later the brothers divided the company's ailing assets between themselves. In 1824, Louis Joseph joined forces with one of his sons, Auguste Remi, but the business collapsed 1 year later. In 1828, bankruptcy was declared.

Condition report: minor wear, one hair.

Ref: 951QCF8DB6