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1 of 253523 objects
Vase à médaillon du roi c. 1768
Soft-paste and biscuit porcelain, bleu nouveau ground, gilded decoration and gilt bronze | 39.8 x 21.7 x 16.5 cm (with fittings) | RCIN 4966
Sèvres porcelain factory
Vase à médaillon du roi c. 1768
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Of the four known versions of this model, three are in the Royal Collection. This version, decorated with a bleu nouveau ground, gold œil-de-perdrix, partridge eye, pattern and low-relief medallions in biscuit porcelain, is the finest and most complete. The youthful profile head of Louis XV reproduces a medallion designed by Edmé Bouchardon (1698-1762), first cast in bronze in 1738 and later used on coinage and commemorative medals.
It is possible that this vase is one of three purchased by Madame du Barry from the factory in December 1768, shortly before she was presented at Court and acknowledged as the new official mistress of Louis XV.
The bold modelling, fine decoration and French royal association, symbolised by the profile medallion heads of Louis XV and the closed crown surmounted by the fleur-de-lis, were some of the qualities George IV admired most in Sèvres porcelain.
Text adapted from French Porcelain for English Palaces, Sèvres from the Royal Collection, London, 2009Provenance
Bought by George IV from Robert Fogg for £63, bill dated 24 October 1812: ‘a fine Seve Vase blue ground with medallion Louis XV’. Entered by Benjamin Jutsham in the Carlton House receipts’ ledger on 18 January 1813: ‘[Received from] Mr. Fogg A Small Seve Vase Blue Ground with Medallions, Louis XV [annotated] in Bow Room Basement Story, sent in Octr 24 1812’. Recorded in 1826 in the Anti Room, Basement Storey, Carlton House: ‘No.70. A blue Seve Porcelain Vase, ornamented with festoons and medallions of Louis 15th the Cover formed and jewelled after the Imperial Crown of France’.
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Creator(s)
(porcelain manufacturer)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Soft-paste and biscuit porcelain, bleu nouveau ground, gilded decoration and gilt bronze
Measurements
39.8 x 21.7 x 16.5 cm (with fittings)
37.6 x 21.7 x 16.5 cm (parts .a-b together)
Other number(s)
Alternative title(s)
Vase and cover
Place of Production
Sèvres [France]