Napoleonic Empire-Style Porcelain Soup Tureen with Eagle Finial

A gilded eagle crowns the domed lid of this footed porcelain tureen. A crowned N inside a laurel wreath repeats on the lid and bowl, with small gold bees and stars scattered across the white porcelain. The eagle and bee were emblems of Napoleon I’s empire and also appeared in the imperial symbolism of Napoleon III’s reign. Turn the tureen over and you’ll find Manufacture impériale abbreviated in reddish-brown block lettering beneath the foot.

Details

• Style — French Napoleonic Empire
• Materials — White porcelain with gilt decoration
• Form — Footed soup tureen with two side handles and a domed lid
• Underside mark — Abbreviated Manufacture impériale, in block lettering
• Maker, place of manufacture, and era — Unconfirmed
• Condition — Light rubbing to portions of the gilding and visible wear to the foot rim

Measurements: 13" Handle to Handle x 9.5" H (Inside: 3.25" Deep x 10" W)