A rare hand painted “Old Paris” porcelain stair ball from the 19th century with a gilded bronze pedestal. Otherwise called a boule d’escalier. Originally these finials or Boule d’escalier, were used as a decorative element atop a newel post at the bottom of the staircase. They were often installed at the completion of a house. Alternatively they are often collected for paperweights or as a decorative accent.