This is a pair of large antique porcelain candleholders made by Samson, Edmé & Cie of Paris as high quality reproductions of earlier 18th century Derby originals. Samson was founded in 1845 and specialized in making copies of 18th century European, Chinese and Japanese porcelains. These candleholders are made in hard paste porcelain whereas the original Derby candleholders would have been made in soft paste porcelain. These pieces are unmarked. They are made in the form of a male and female musician, the male playing some sort of bagpipe and the female playing a lute. A fox stands next to the male while a lamb stands next to the lady. Both have a floral background. Each have two candleholders, however, the second candleholder is broken off from the lady musician. I have the piece (see last photo), but it will take a professional to properly restore this. In addition, there is a chip from the top flower branch in the same vicinity as the broken candleholder. The male measures 11 3/4” in height by 9 1/4” while the female measures 11” in height by 8” in width due to the missing candleholder. Aside from the aforementioned defects to the female, both otherwise are in very good condition and display very well. You have the option to repair the female or simply display her as is as she displays perfectly well.
These are being sold at a reduced price due to the damage to the female - wonderful large pieces of quality figural porcelain!