Images(7)

Lidded Vase

Maker Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory (French, active from 1756 to the present)

MakerFigural scenes by Pierre-André Le Guay fils aînè (French, active 1773-1817)

MakerLandscapes on the backs painted by Edme-Francois Bouillat the elder (French, active 1758 - 1810)

MakerGround decoration by Geneviève Taillandier (French, active 1774 - 1798)

MakerGilding by Étienne-Henri LeGuay (French, 1719 - ca. 1799)

MakerJeweling by Philippe Parpette (French, 1736 - 1806)

Additional Title(s)

Vase C de 1780
Vase Paris Nouvelle Forme

ClassificationsDECORATIVE ARTS

Date1781

Mediumsoft-paste porcelain, pink pointillé ground, polychrome enamel decoration, embossed gold foils, enameled "jeweled" decoration, gilding

Dimensions17 x 8 x 6 in. (43.2 x 20.3 x 15.2 cm.)

DescriptionThis is one of three lidded vases with painted figural scenes on the fronts and landscapes on the backs, which were produced at the Royal Porcelain Manufactory in Sèvres, France.

Inscribed27.34: Incised marks: vaze c 2me . . . n 25; the numeral 18; inscription: in black ink, 2; Duveen label C5735 / 3. 27.35: Painted marks: in pink enamel, the crossed L's of the Sèvres manufactory; the date letters, dd, for 1781; incised marks: 1780 vaze c.prmr grdr. 25. 27.36: Painted marks: in gold, the crossed L's of the Sèvres manufactory; the date letters, DD, for 1781; incised marks: 1780 vaze c 2me grdr 25; the numeral, 10. Duveen label: C5735 / 3

Markings27.34: Incised marks: vaze c 2me . . . n 25; the numeral 18; inscription: in black ink, 2; Duveen label C5735 / 3. 27.35: Painted marks: in pink enamel, the crossed L's of the Sèvres manufactory; the date letters, dd, for 1781; incised marks: 1780 vaze c.prmr grdr. 25. 27.36: Painted marks: in gold, the crossed L's of the Sèvres manufactory; the date letters, DD, for 1781; incised marks: 1780 vaze c 2me grdr 25; the numeral, 10. Duveen label: C5735 / 3

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. The Arabella D. Huntington Memorial Art Collection.

Label TextThis garniture, or set of three vases, is a stunning example of jeweled enameling, the most extravagant type of decoration produced at the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory during the 18th century. The process involved applying embossed gold foils enameled in translucent or opaque colors, giving the effect of jewels. Each vase is further embellished with scenes adapted from paintings by some of the most important French artists of the 18th century. The scene on the center vase, for example, is based on The Three Graces, a painting by Carle van Loo.
Jeweled Sèvres porcelain vases were not produced in great quantities, probably because they were so costly. Only the most accomplished decorators worked on such exceptional pieces, and only the most elite customers could afford to buy them. This garniture is thought to have been owned by Queen Marie-Antoinette.

Status

On view

Object number27.35