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1 of 253523 objects
Sèvres porcelain factory
Vase Duplessis à monter 1779
Hard-paste porcelain, white ground painted in fond pointillé, gilded decoration and gilt bronze | .1 32.8 x 17.7 x 16.2, .2 33.6 x 18.0 x 16.8 cm (whole object) | RCIN 35594
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Painted with chinoiserie scenes and exotic birds, this pair of vases was purchased by Marie-Antoinette, a demanding and capricious patron of the Sèvres manufactory, in December 1779, at the end-of-year sale held at Versailles. Given her taste at the time for white and gold interior decorative schemes and oriental lacquer, these vases, with their chinoiserie themes and finely chased mounts, would have fitted well in her luxuriously appointed apartments.
The inspiration for one of the exotic birds would seem to have been an illustration, L’Honoré de Cayenne, designed and engraved by François-Nicolas Martinet (active c. 1760-1800) for the comte de Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux.
Text adapted from French Porcelain for English Palaces, Sèvres from the Royal Collection, London, 2009Provenance
Part of the garniture bought by Queen Marie-Antoinette, December 1779 for 2400 livres. Purchased by George IV from Robert Fogg at a cost of £55, they are described in his bill dated the quarter ending 5 April 1817 as ‘2 do [Sève Porcelaine] Vases White Ground painted Chinese figures richly mounted in or Molu £55’.
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Creator(s)
(porcelain manufacturer)(nationality)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Hard-paste porcelain, white ground painted in fond pointillé, gilded decoration and gilt bronze
Measurements
.1 32.8 x 17.7 x 16.2, .2 33.6 x 18.0 x 16.8 cm (whole object)
Category
Object type(s)
Other number(s)
Laking PC : Laking, G.F., 1907. Sèvres Porcelain of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, London – Laking PC 181Alternative title(s)
Pair of mounted vases (covers missing)
Place of Production
Sèvres [France]
