Compote

Object/Artifact

-

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Compote

Entry/Object ID

SS.86.1

Description

Elliptically-shaped gilt, open-work basket, decorated with bands of bisque cornucopia, floral and foliage motifs: basket is attached to, and rests on top of, two winged mythological female figures; the figures which are kneeling are of molded bisque porcelain, they wear gilded floral headpieces, and draped chitons; the chitons are ornamented by six gilded button-like closures along the length of the figure' thighs, and a gilded button-like closure on the crest of each shoulder; the figures kneel on bisque cushions adorned with tassels; the basket and figures are secured to the elliptically- shaped base by means of two metal screws and fasteners; the upper surface of the base is decorated with a broad band of buff-colored glaze which forms a border around the central reserve of white porcelain, at the reserve's mid-point there is a hand-painted floral spray surrounded by green leafage; the outer rim of the base has been gilded; and there is additional gilding between the buff-colored border and the white porcelain reserve; the sides of the base are partially recessed and entirely gilded; a relief band of molded bisque in a classical motif with a central medallion ornaments both sides of the elliptical base; the entire structure rests on four gilded paw feet; the paw feet are individually framed on either side by two bisque rosettes set within gilt borders.

Made/Created

Manufacturer

"Vieux Paris"

Date made

circa 1840

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Overall

Height

14-1/2 in

Width

16 in

Depth

10 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 14 1/2 x 16 x 10 in. (36.8 x 40.6 x 25.4 cm)

Dimension Description

Basket?

Height

5 in

Width

9-5/16 in

Depth

15-7/16 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 5 x 9 5/16 x 15 7/16 in. (5 x 9 5/16 x 15 7/16 in.)

Material

Porcelain, Enamel, Gilt

Condition

Notes

Remarks: Details of condition: Gilt worn on base, paws and basket. Both figure's wreaths are missing from upper portion of gilded head dresses. Left figure has crack from base of cushion to hem of chiton. Right figure has series of fissures (cracks, possibly from firing that have darkened with age) at attachment point of right wing, along right and left sides of neck and along right side of garment from under arm to bottom of thigh. Right wing has small horizontal crack; left wing is missing from just below shoulder. Buff glaze on upper surface of base uneven wear; several spots of uneven wear, several spots of underlying white porcelain body are evident. Base, figures and basket are attached by means of two metal bolts which are badly corroded.

Relationships

Related Entries

Notes

SS.63.416 a-d - Compotes - Related

General Notes

Note Type

Curatorial Remarks

Note

No photo; it is unclear from the Object File how this piece entered the HHV collection and if it was on the premises prior to 1986. According to the Object File, no mention is made of Irving family provenance, however, it is unknown if it was part of the porcelain set that was otherwise accessioned with SS.63 numbers, including SS.63.416 a-d, etc. The set of four figural compotes (SS.63.416 a-d) was linked to this larger compote as "related" on June 5, 2019, not as "part of a set" [Jessa J. Krick, Director of Collections, 6/5/2019].

Note Type

General Note

Note

Note that the supporting figures are adult women, compared to SS.63.416 a-d which are cherubs, or putti.

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Sunnyside, Dining Room