Rare white enameled earthenware boutique pot with a hand-painted inscription: “N°2 Gervais - Rue Saint-Martin - près la rue aux Ours - à Paris”. This address corresponds to the “À la Cloche d’Argent” establishment, a Parisian glove-maker, perfumer, and haberdashery active at the end of the 18th century. Intended for toiletries or perfumed pomades sold at the counter, this pot features a beautiful old patina with natural enamel crazing and particularly expressive original writing. The last photograph showing the "À la Cloche d’Argent" advertisement is not included with the object: it is an archived image found online, shared for documentary purposes only to illustrate the origin of the business mentioned on the pot.
A rare documented piece, directly linked to the history of Parisian commerce under the Ancien Régime.
✦ Provenance: Paris, Gervais establishment “À la Cloche d’Argent”, rue Saint-Martin near rue aux Ours ✦ Estimated period: Late 18th century ✦ Dimensions: approx. 9.5 x 8.5 cm ✦ Material: White enameled ceramic (earthenware) with hand-painted manuscript decoration ✦ Condition: Good old condition with signs of use, natural enamel crazing and a small chip visible on the neck, inscription well preserved
A rare witness to mercantile Paris at the end of the 18th century, ideal for a collection of antique perfumery, boutique earthenware, or historical curiosities.
