19th Century French Porcelain Spill Vase with Hand-painted Balcony Scene

This is a stunning example of a porcelain spill vase, probably French in origin and dating to the second half of the 19th century.

The spill vase has a beaded rim and a galleried upper portion. There is a fine protruding band above a short tapering section. This surmounts the central cylindrical section. Below this are four gilded winged lion head motifs that mount it to the cross-like plinth base. There are four bands of gilding around the piece: below the rim, above and below the central column (the latter has nearly entirely worn away), and around the base. The central column has been hand-painted with a stylised balcony scene, which is flanked by gilded floral motifs.

The base is domed in the centre and unmarked.

It has a height of approximately 13.4cm, with a diameter across the rim of about 7.7cm and a maximum width across the base of about 6.8cm.

It has an unwrapped weight of 270g.

It is in very good condition, with no chips or cracks, although there is some wear to the base commensurate with age, and some rubbing to the gilding in places.