Pair of 19th Century French Faience Bottles with Figural Bird Stoppers

$1,600

About

This charming pair of antique French faience bottles was crafted in France circa 1860 and features richly hand-painted decoration with lively figural scenes. Each bottle is baluster-shaped and adorned on the front with a detailed pastoral vignette depicting birds perched above a resting dog within a landscape setting, framed by scrolling cobalt blue reserves and accented with warm tones of ochre, green, and manganese. Both bottles retain their original, matching faience stoppers, each surmounted with a sculptural bird finial perched atop leafy foliage, adding height, whimsy, and sculptural presence. The reverse of each bottle is decorated with simple foliate motifs, allowing the narrative scenes to remain the focal point. The hand-painted decoration and slight variations between the two underscore their artisanal production. The undersides of both bottles bear period hand-painted letters and numbers, consistent with 19th century workshop or kiln marks. While these antique faience bottles may have been intended for perfume, scented water, or toiletry use, they are best described today as decorative vessels, ideal for display in a vitrine, on a mantel, or within a curated collection of French ceramics. The pair is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, with minor wear consistent with age and firing. A highly decorative and collectible pair, offering strong visual impact, charming subject matter, and classic French faience character. Dimensions: 6″W x 4″D x 14″H (each)

Additional information