Napoleon III Sèvres-Style Porcelain Tazza with Gilt Bronze Base and Floral Medallion

Design & Inspiration

Place this tazza on a console or dining table centerpiece and the room acquires a new axis — a concentrated point of color and craft that draws the eye and holds it. The vivid celestial blue ground, unmistakably drawn from the bleu céleste palette that made Sèvres porcelain the envy of every European court, radiates with an almost luminous intensity. Against that ground, a hand-painted oval medallion presents a lush arrangement of flowers — roses, peonies, and smaller blooms rendered in the loose, generous brushwork associated with the great French decorative porcelain tradition of the 1850s–1870s. This is a masterful interpretation of Napoleon III Second Empire decorative art, the era when French luxury craftsmanship reached a deliberately theatrical pitch.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The bowl of the tazza is formed in fine porcelain, its surface carrying the rich turquoise ground color applied before firing, then enriched with gilded scrollwork panels, hatched gold cartouche borders, and the central floral medallion painted in polychrome enamels. The interior of the bowl is glazed in the same turquoise, rimmed in gold, confirming that no surface was left unfinished. Cast gilt-bronze mounts extend from the bowl's flanks as acanthus-scrolled handles — a hallmark of Second Empire ormolu mounting practice, where bronze was never merely structural but always sculptural. The stem connecting bowl to base is itself porcelain, painted with delicate gilded foliage, and it seats into a substantial cast-bronze footed base whose surface carries cartouche panels, shell motifs, and scrolled acanthus feet — all finished in a warm antique gold tone. Handcrafted in Egypt by artisans trained in classical European decorative techniques, every gilded line and painted bloom reflects hours of careful workshop practice.

Dimensions & Details

Weight: 4 kg. Dimensions: N/A — please contact us for precise measurements. The substantial weight reflects the quality of both the porcelain body and the cast-bronze base components.

Handcrafted in Egypt

At Brass & Wood, each piece in our decorative accessories collection is produced in Egypt by craftsmen who have inherited and refined the techniques of European classical ornament. The pairing of hand-painted porcelain with cast and chased brass mounts represents one of the most labor-intensive decorative traditions — one that defined Parisian luxury ateliers of the Second Empire and that we are proud to carry forward through faithful, contemporary reproduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this tazza made from?

The bowl and stem are crafted from fine porcelain with hand-painted polychrome enamel decoration and gilded accents. The handles and base are cast brass finished in antique gold. Total weight is 4 kg.

Is assembly required?

No assembly is required. The tazza arrives fully assembled and ready to display.

Can this piece be customized?

Yes. Brass & Wood offers customization options including alternative brass finish colors. Contact our team to discuss your requirements before placing your order.