Napoleon Ceramic Urn with Lime Green Glaze
Decorative art, ceramic vase/urn with handles and pedestal base • Likely European, likely French or Central European (Bohemian/Austrian) origin in the style of Sèvres
Style & Movement
Neo-Classical and Second Empire Revival
Medium & Technique
Glazed earthenware or porcelain featuring a transfer-print or hand-painted portrait medallion, raised slip (barbotine) decoration, and gilded/enameled accents
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th century (Historicist/Revivalist period)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated height 25-35 cm; three-dimensional vertical format
Subject Description
A central portrait medallion depicts a figure in 18th/early 19th-century military attire, likely Napoleon Bonaparte, set against an architectural interior. The vessel is finished in a vibrant lime green glaze with white raised scrolling foliate patterns and orange/blue decorative motifs.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; visible wear to the transfer and raised enamel work, possible structural repairs not seen in photo
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $400 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $300 USD
Provenance History
Likely mass-produced for the growing middle-class decorative market in the late 19th century; often found in estate collections of Continental ceramics
Art Historical Significance
Represents the 19th-century fascination with Napoleonic kitsch and the industrialization of fine ceramic styles originally reserved for the aristocracy
Notable Features
Highly distinctive and unusual lime green ground color; use of raised-line relief to frame the neoclassical portrait
Condition Issues
Deterioration of the portrait image, rubbing of the white slip decoration, localized glaze crazing, and visible dust/dirt accumulation
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning with non-abrasive materials; avoid direct sunlight to prevent further fading of the portrait; store in climate-controlled environment