Beautiful French Antique (19thc) Large Porcelain/gilt Bronze Potpourri, After Meissen

Magnificent French antique (19thC) porcelain/gilt bronze potpourri after Meissen, made by Samson (Paris). Beautifully decorated with country life scenes and flowers, fitted with a pieced rim flanked by lion's mask and ring handles, raised on a pierced gilt bronze base. The large circular body is topped by a domed lid with a dolphin and cherub finial. Signed on the base with the Meissen crossed swords. 56cm high x 44cm diameter, weight 12.5kg. Lovely original condition – would make a superb centrepiece – a masterpiece! Edmé Samson (1810-1891) was the founder of the porcelain firm Samson, Edmé et Cie (commonly known as Samson Ceramics) and a famous copyist of porcelain and pottery. The firm produced high-quality copies of earlier styles of porcelain, mainly 18th-century European, Chinese and Japanese designs. See Ebay (253190584685) or 1st Dibs (Continental Gilt-Bronze Mounted Porcelain Potpourri, Late 19th Century) for similar.