Ormolu Antique Appraisal

French Majolica and Ormolu Bronze Mounted Potpourri Censer

This exquisite decorative piece is an ornate potpourri censer or covered bowl featuring a combination of glazed porcelain (majolica) and gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts. The main body and lid are constructed of porcelain with a distinctive textured, scalloped ribbing finished in a vibrant magenta or deep pink glaze. Intertwining across the porcelain surfaces are relief-molded organic vines in a pale celadon green with leaf accents. The vessel is encased in high-quality bronze mounts, including a reticulated gallery at the center with oval piercings flanked by floral rosettes, allowing for the scent of potpourri to escape. The piece stands on an elaborate rococo-style scrolled quadruped base with acanthus leaf motifs. Matching ornate scroll handles are attached to the sides, and the lid is crowned with a complex sculptural bronze finial depicting a bird or shell-like botanical form. The craftsmanship displays high-relief molding and precise casting common in mid-to-late 19th-century French decorative arts, possibly in the style of Minton or Longwy for the ceramic components. The condition appears excellent with a rich aged patina on the bronze and no visible chips or cracks to the glaze, though minor surface wear consistent with age is expected. This piece exemplifies the 19th-century Neo-Rococo taste for eclectic, high-status interior ornaments.