Continental Enameled Porcelain Box with Ormolu Mounts

A porcelain box of generous scale, painted in polychrome enamels and mounted in ormolu bronze. The armorial design is surrounded by floral passages executed in the European manner, with gold highlights throughout; the interior is decorated with floral motifs as well, so the piece rewards opening as much as looking.

The box is probably the work of Samson of Paris, the firm founded by Edmé Samson (1810–1891) and established as Samson, Edmé et Cie in 1845. Samson made its reputation by drawing on, and at times directly copying, the models of other European factories, and pieces of this character are prized for the quality of that emulation.

Measures 6 x 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches (152 x 89 x 89 mm). A worthy addition to a serious collection of ceramics and porcelains.