Late 19th Century Porcelain Pique-Fleur Vase w/ Cat Family - 9½"

This exquisite porcelain pique-fleur from the late 19th century captures a moment of pure playfulness and tender charm. A mother cat lies on her back, paws in the air, caught in a joyful pose as she engages with her two energetic kittens. Her eyes are wide open and expressive, her mouth slightly parted in a lifelike expression. The kittens scramble up the domed floral holder at her center, all three of them caught up in a weave of blackberry vines and leaves. The sculptor’s hand is evident in every detail: the finely modeled fur with its gentle curves and incisions, the glistening berries textured with delicate precision, and the foliage that wraps organically around the form. Each blackberry is formed and applied individually, contributing to the vivid naturalism of the scene. The base, modeled to resemble leafy ground and hand-painted in rich greens and earthy browns, completes the impression of a spontaneous frolic in the garden.

The central dome, pierced to accommodate flower stems, transforms this animated tableau into a functional object of display. Beneath the piece, a blue R mark is painted under the glaze, suggesting a German origin. This may link it to Thuringian manufactories such as Rudolstadt or Rauenstein, known in the 19th century for their finely modeled, Rococo-inspired porcelain figures. These workshops specialized in decorative objects that blended technical excellence with storytelling, sentiment, and natural motifs.

Pieces like this pique-fleur were prized in bourgeois interiors for their ability to animate a space with both elegance and affection. The taste of the time leaned toward the playful, the picturesque, and the emotionally engaging. Domestic animals, particularly cats, symbolized comfort and intimacy, and their portrayal in such lively, endearing attitudes was both a celebration of family life and a display of artistic refinement. This piece embodies all of that with remarkable charm, and would make a beautiful centerpiece, with or without fresh flowers.