Superb Paris porcelain sugar bowl, flanked by two female heads, and finely adorned with polychrome floral garlands and hand-painted roses, the lid is enhanced with gold thread and designs.
19th century, Louis Philippe period. * Wearing the numbers 2 and 31 (or 3? )

Very good condition: no cracks or chips.
Some marks of time: the gilding has deteriorated. Traces along inner edges (box and lid)
- Height: 14 cm (8.1 cm without the lid)
- Width: 14.3 X 9.4cm
- Base: 8.2 x 6.7cm

The little story:
Paris porcelain was made from 1770, following the discovery of kaolin. It is a hard porcelain, pure white, very shiny, with polychrome decoration made by hand.
It was inspired by Sèvres porcelain: the factory was founded in 1740 under the reign of Louis XV and the influence of Madame de Pompadour. She obtained the Royal privilege in 1745.
There were several prestigious Parisian factories bearing their own mark (It should be noted that the edict of 1760 prohibited color and gilding on porcelain but this did not apply to the nobility. The nobles were therefore able to open their own workshops)
*The numbers or letters found under the pieces like the one shown here are signs left by the workers before firing, to recognize their work and get paid. Because the decorations were often made in the back shops, the whites being cooked in the Limoges region.