Description

A Sevres Hard Paste Bowl and Saucer 1777

Both pieces carry the date letter Z for 1777. The saucer also carries the crown mark denoting hard paste used from the late 1760s when deposits of china clay ( kaolin) were discovered in Limoges. This is a marriage. the bowl is soft paste. We believe that the bowl is the base of a pot a sucre. a sugar bowl or sucrier . rather than a tea bowl. The saucer carries painters mark  ” bq”. this is an unknown painters marks but is documented by Carl Dauterman as possibly Bauquer. The saucer also carries an incised copperscript L but we are unable to identify the potter.

The painting is exquisite. very delicate roses and floral sprays. blue band and dentil gilded rim. The gilding is in perfect condition and there are no chips. cracks or restoration. The bowl stands 2 1/2 inches ( 6.5 cms) tall and the saucer is 4 3/4 diameter (12cms)

Vincennes – Sèvres Porcelain

First established at the Royal Chateau de Vincennes in 1740. producing soft paste porcelain of the highest quality.  Later that decade Jean-Claude Duplessis (the court goldsmith) was employed to design vases and other wares. many of the extravagant rococo forms are his creations

The patronage of the French aristocracy enabled the manufactory to develop. albeit after a difficult start and further artistic appointments were made. Following an influx of finance. the production grew and the quality intensified – the initial artistic influence was derived from Meissen and direct comparisons can be made. though the great artist ‘Francois Boucher’ was also a great inspiration and his ‘cherubs and putti’ were the first to be produced on Vincennes porcelain and Meissen later copied this.

The factory eventually moved to Sevres in 1756 when King Louis XV  purchased the factory and from 1758 the King became the factory’s best salesman.  According to the factory’s sales records. which began in 1752. Madame de Pompadour purchased the most pieces (in terms of value) followed by Louis XV himself – Madam de Pompadour did not just buy things for herself. many pieces were also sent as gifts .

New enamel colours were invented. painters and gilders employed and the manufactory thrived – the production of Hard Paste porcelain in the 1760’s also proved successful.  By 1756 the factory had 84 painters and gilders. each with their speciality (women painters only painted flowers). The date. painter and gilder marks were introduced in 1753. though kiln records are not available as far back as this.

We always have a selection sèvres porcelain for sale and are happy to provide additional information and images upon request.