A rare pair of Naples, Poulard Prad, porcelain wine coolers circa 1809-13

on three moulded gilt lion legs terminating with winged lion heads crowned by a sun, decorated with panels of Egyptian figures in black on a finely speckled gilt ground alternating with black-ground borders gilt with pseudo-Egyptian hieroglyphics, the interiors with  pseudo Egyptian symbols within giltborders, on simple circular bases painted to simulate red porphyry (one with restoration)

One wine cooler has been broken off at the top of the lions paws and restored. The lower part of the cooler has been been restored. The sides of the sides of the cooler has several restored breaks which extend from the lower part to the rim. There is some restoration to the circular base. The other cooler is in overall good condition with minor flaking to the enamels and gilding.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The form recalls the earlier Real Fabbrica Ferdinandea versions, though the feet are different. These coolers are a good example of the revival that the manufactory enjoyed during the Poulard Prad period, especially between 1809-1812, due to the great interest taken by  Carolina Murat in the Fine Arts.

Egyptian influences were popular among the more fashionable European porcelain manufactories, encouraged by the 'Egyptomania' sweeping Europe at the end of 18th and beginning of the 19th century, attributable in part to the success of the Napoleonic campaigns. Egyptian decoration was already  in use at the Naples Manufactory by 1802, as demonstrated by manufactory documents recording payments to Maurizio Porcini e Ciro De Majo for "sei figure negre" and the gilding of "geroglifici ...e linee intorno" on an Egyptian vase with three feet and masks.

A similar pair of vases, now in the Palazzo della Prefettura, Naples, is published by Angela Caròla-Perrotti, Le Porcellane napoletane dell'Ottocento 1807-1860, Napoli, 1990, pp. 157, ill. 48. ; they are identical in form and only differ in the panels' gold ground and orange-red interiors. This latter pair feature in a watercolour signed and dated by E.H. Montagny, "FE 1811 Naples", showing the Interior of the Palace of Naples in Murat's time (see Patrizia Rosazza-Ferraris, Museo Mario Praz: Inventario topografico delle opere esposte, Roma, 2008, p. 152, n.360).