1890s Decorative Objects

French Art Nouveau Inkwell by Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat, France, circa 1890. A rare and exquisite Art Nouveau inkwell by renowned French ceramist Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat (1844–1910). This finely crafted piece showcases Dalpayrat’s signature red copper-glazed stoneware, especially rich and luminous near the base. Elegantly mounted in pewter, the design exemplifies the organic flow and refined detail of the Art Nouveau period. Dimensions: Height: 3.54 in. (9 cm) Diameter: 5.12 in. (13 cm) Materials: Stoneware with pewter mount Condition: Excellent+++++, museum-quality preservation Markings: Incised signature "Dalpayrat 1500" under the base (see photo) This inkwell is a collectible example of French ceramic art at the turn of the century—perfect for collectors of Art Nouveau, 19th-century French ceramics, or the works of Dalpayrat. Adrien Dalpayrat (1844–1910): A Pioneer of French Ceramic Innovation Adrien Dalpayrat was a French ceramicist and researcher who played a key role in the revival of stoneware at the end of the 19th century. Born in 1844 in Limoges, Dalpayrat studied drawing and porcelain painting in his hometown before beginning his professional career at the Jules Vieillard faience factory in Bordeaux. There, he met his wife, Marie Tallerie, with whom he had two sons—Albert and Adolphe—who would later become his primary collaborators. Throughout his early career, Dalpayrat worked for several major ceramic manufacturers, including Ashwin (Valentine), Fouquet (Toulouse), François Blanc (Monaco), and Léon Sazerat (Limoges). In 1889, seeking greater independence, he moved to the Paris region and established his own studio in Bourg-la-Reine. Collaborations and Artistic Evolution Dalpayrat’s creative vision expanded through his collaboration with sculptor Alphonse Voisin-Delacroix. Together, they explored neo-Gothic and Palissy-inspired motifs, creating a remarkable ceramic bestiary. Following Voisin-Delacroix’s death in 1893, Dalpayrat partnered with Adèle Lesbros, which marked a shift in his work toward simpler, more refined vase forms influenced by Japonism. Japanese art had been introduced to France during the 1867 Universal Exhibition, but it wasn’t until the 1878 Exhibition, particularly through the ceremonial stoneware used in the Japanese tea ceremony, that Japonism truly captivated French artists. This influence led Dalpayrat to create vessels with organic, vegetal, and animal-inspired forms. Technical Mastery: The Secrets of Copper Red Among all the ceramists of his time who sought to replicate the elusive Chinese “sang de boeuf” (oxblood) glaze, Adrien Dalpayrat was arguably the most successful. He didn’t simply reproduce the legendary copper red—he transformed it. By manipulating glaze thickness, firing temperature, atmosphere, and copper oxide content, he developed a unique palette of flamed and mottled red glazes that became his signature: the renowned Dalpayrat red. He further enriched his pieces by introducing streaks and inclusions of turquoise, blue, green, and yellow—freeing the red glaze from monochromy and turning it into an expressive, living surface. His work pushed stoneware beyond function into expressive art, merging form and glaze in bold, sculptural harmony. Beyond Ceramics: Bronze Mounts and Architectural Works Dalpayrat also collaborated with renowned jewelers such as Ernest Cardeilhac and Keller to produce pieces mounted in gilt bronze, blending ceramics with decorative arts at the highest level. In an effort to make his work more accessible, he opened a second faience workshop focused on simpler, more affordable pieces inspired by Nevers and Rouen ware. However, this venture faced financial difficulties and closed by 1900. The main family studio followed in 1906 as the popularity of Art Nouveau declined. Dalpayrat then returned to Limoges, devoting his final years to painting and drawing until his death in 1910. Legacy and Recognition Despite financial struggles during his lifetime, Dalpayrat’s ceramics were widely acclaimed at major international exhibitions: Bronze medal, World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago (1893) Silver medal, Antwerp International Exhibition (1894) Gold medal, Exposition Universelle, Paris (1900) Today, his work is part of prestigious museum collections. In 2020, the Petit Palais in Paris acquired a large bird motif vase created in collaboration with Voisin-Delacroix, now on view in Room...

Large French Black Forest wood box, circa 1900. 11.8 by 7.3 inches , H / 5.3 inches. Music instruments Jewel box.

Lovely brass photograph frame Good condition Original bevelled glass. Slight chip to one corner but not visible from the front Free UK shipping  

Large French Majolica tulip Cache Pot Jérôme Massier Circa 1890 Height / 7 inches. Diameter / 10 inches.

Charming late 19th-century French stationery or letter box, cleverly designed in the form of a stack of antique leather-bound books. This trompe-l’œil piece was crafted with great at...

This is a good quality hand made hardwood lidded box with fine quality hand carved floral themes, which we date to the late 19th C / early 20th C Art Nouveau period, Circa 1900. The...

19th Century Portuguese Majolica Pumpkin Mustard Pot signed A.Cunha Caldas da Rainha. H / 4 inches , Diameter / 4.5 inches.

A stylish Burmantofts Faience art pottery vase decorated in ox blood red glazes and dating from around 1890. The earthenware flask shaped vase stands on a wide round foot rim with a ...

Lovely antique weathered solid cement garden statue of a woman in a thoughtful pose, circa 1890-1910. She displays the patina of many years spent in an English garden. With her pens...

19th century Antique French Majolica Barbotine ceramic wall pocket flower vase "Confetti" . Direct from FRANCE, gorgeous hand painted design on ...

Large rare French Majolica swan vase signed Choisy le Roi, circa 1890. Height / 23.3 inches. 16 inches by 12 inches. At the end of 19th century, Choisy le roi was one of the most im...

A very fine and elegant Hungarian porcelain twin handled vase with floral reticulated designs and contrasting blue glazed panelling by renowned maker Zsolnay and dating from around 1...

Very impressive large figure of a Mastiff Bronze Dog , It is finely detailed. The clasp holding the chain on the dog's collar is also cast bronze. Finished in a dark brown patina, ...

This stunningly rendered Sumida Gawa Pottery Vase in Vermillion Red Glaze W/Clustered Sculptural Primates originates from Japan, Circa 1890. Features a vermillion red glaze with a vi...

French Art Nouveau vase by François-Théodore LEGRAS, Cristallerie de Saint-Denis, France, 1890s. Blown glass vase ribbed inside. Clear glass becoming more and more purple towards the...

Rare French Majolica asparagus tureen circa 1890. Platter & tureen.

An antique large Spanish terracotta olive oil handled jar or vase, handmade towards the end of the 19th C. or beginning of the 20th C. The outside features the natural earth-ware c...

This is a large French bronze sculpture of Vercingetorix with his son by Emile Laporte (1858 - 1901), circa 1890 in date. The standing figure of Vercingetorix wearing a winged hel...

Daum Nancy bonbonnière "Cyclamens" circa 1898 A "Cyclamens" multi-layered opalescent glass bonbonniere Acid-etched and enameled design of cyclamen flowers on a frosted pink and gree...

An 1890s antique French opaline glass casket box in a striking Robin's Egg Blue color. The polished glass is mounted with gold bronze hardware, adding elegance to the vibrant hue. Th...

Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found at...

French Majolica Candelstick signed HB Choisy Le Roi circa 1890.

A truly fabulous late nineteenth century jewelry box made from a fine example of malachite, the first image is the most true colour in person. The Malachite during this era was ag...

his exquisite Moroccan box is crafted in white metal with intricate filigree work and adorned with semi precious stones. The detailed design depicts water and fish, capturing the sym...

Empire Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Box, 19th Century, Depicting Two Muses Holding a Cornucopia in the style of Karl Fabergé. This 19th-century malachite box perfectly embodies t...

19th Century Majolica planter or cachepot jardinière bird Wasmuel.

Large Majolica jardinière planter with birds signed Delphin Massier, circa 1890. L / 28 by 11 inches , H / 7 inches. The Massier are known for the quality of their unique enamels and...

A good antique French cast bronze sculpture bust of Ludwig Van Beethoven, circa 1890. The bronze sculpture bust depicting the celebrated German composer & pianist; Ludwig Van Beethov...

Charming Majolica vase with a rooster and hen against a trunk signed Delphin Massier, circa 1890. Reference / A similar example of this piece page 83 "Barbotines de la Cote d 'Azur"...

19th Century French Faience egg basket signed Desvres Fourmaintraux.

A striking and finely crafted pair of six-light candelabra in silver-plated nickel silver (marked "N.S."), attributed to the esteemed Swedish retailer and silversmith A.G. Dufva. The...

Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the defau...

Émile Gallé (1846-1904) Miniature baluster shape vase in opaque pink tinted glass and painted enamel applied in cabochons. Byzantine-inspired design hand-painted in polychrome enamel...

French Majolica cat with mandolin pitcher with blue ribbon, circa 1890.

A rare and stylish Burmantofts Faience art pottery vase decorated with sun burst patterning and with a saffron glazed finish dating from around 1890. This stunning and elegant lightl...

This charming vintage trinket box stands out for its unmistakably Victorian look, ornate relief detailing, and distinctive cameo portrait surrounded by roses. The delicate three-dime...

A fine quality antique Russian Imperial silver tea caddy, engraved in the Chinoiserie style, by Gustav Klingert, Moscow, dated 1894. Gu...

Extraordinary pair of fine glazed porcelain Foo dogs came to us out of an estate here in Savannah, Georgia, belonging to an old general that long ago brought them from Thailand. Used...

Victorian, sterling silver heart-form trinkets box with hinged lid and gilt interior, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1897, H. Matthews - Maker. Lid is designed with a Joshu...

French three piece dore bronze mounted and champleve Garniture set with gilt gold design details. Each piece is in great condition with wear approp...

This tramp art picture frame was handcrafted and handcarved in the last decades of the 19th century. It is decorated with for pointed stars, square and rectangular pyramids, lozenge...

19th century Italian marble bust of Aphrodite. Our antique Italian Carrara marble bust of Aphrodite is expertly carved and rests on a...

Paul Dachsel was the son-in-law of Alfred Stellmacher, the founder of Amphora Pottery company in Turn-Teplitz, then in Austria. Very little is known or was written about Dachsel. He ...

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A large rectangular box formed from green opaline crystal, its shape defined by flat planes and chamfered corners that produce an octagonal profile when viewed from above. The hinged...

French purple Majolica Cache Pot Delphin Massier circa 1890. Height / 5.8 inches. Diameter / 6 inches.

Antique European rural bucket in wood and iron, 1890s Beautiful patina and wrought iron handle.

With a floral bow over an enameled clock face signed Tiffany And Co. Set in a conforming bronze case with leaf and floral decoration.

A mantel clock in reddish- brown figured wood veneer with dore mounts in the baroque style. The gilt metal dial with enamel numerals, the case with dore scrolled acanthus leaf frame ...

the hand-carved and finely detailed recumbent mother Retriever with raised head and glass eyes giving a direct gaze to a distant object; wearing a knotted leash attached to a thick c...

Antique Chinese Qing dynasty (1644-1911) late 19th century bottle vase. The vase with a red crackle glaze to the outisde and a cream crackle glaze to the interior. The vase of bottle...

Excellent early Art Nouveau cup-shaped vase: Conical body pressed into an oval cross-section on a bell-shaped, curved round base, colorless thick-walled glass with milky white opale...

Émile Gallé (1846-1904) Miniature baluster shape vase in opaque pink tinted glass and painted enamel applied in cabochons. Byzantine-inspired design hand-painted in polychrome enamel...

A French Ormolu and Patinated-Bronze ‘Chariot’ Three-pieces Clock Garniture Attributed to François Linke (1855 - 1946), Paris, Late 19th/ Century The clock representing a putto on ...

An absolutely stunning large antique Viennese sterling silver pill box made from a hefty gauge of Austrian silver. All sides are decorated with a white guilloche enamel showcasing...

Thomas Minton is believed to have created the famous Blue Willow Pattern and sold the original design to Thomas Turner in the 18th century. The pattern is clearly inspired by Canton Chinese Export...

Hallmarked in London in 1891 by John Henry Rawlings, this very handsome, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, is plain in design, octagonal in shape and with reed borders. T...

French Majolica dish reticulated leaf, Circa 1890.

Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the defau...

Late 19th Century Tiger Oak Horner Tall Case Grandfather Clock Elliot Movement Dimensions : 24" Wide X 17.5" Deep X 105.25" Tall This stunning Grandfather clock was made in the lat...