Wallace Collection Online - The Collection

Results: 1


Garniture of Three Vases Vase 'Boileau' and vase 'à oreilles' of the first size Sèvres Manufactory Sèvres, France: Date: 1759 (vase and cover)

Medium: Soft-paste porcelain, painted and gilded

Object size: C251, 48.9 x 29.3 cm
Object size: C252-3, 32 x 16.9 cm

Inv: C251-3

Location: Back State Room

This three-piece garniture consists of two pear-shaped 'vases à oreilles' (for a detailed description of this model, see C241–242 and C243) and a 'vase Boileau'. The chalice-shaped model was first introduced in 1758 and is named after Jacques-René Boileau de Picardie, director of Vincennes/Sèvres from 1751. A bouquet of naturalistically modelled flowers crowns the lid. All pieces are decorated with 'saffre et verd' ground, a combination of underglaze blue and overglaze green ground colours, which was highly difficult to produce as each colour had to be fired separately. The reserves on the backs are painted with flowers, while the fronts feature figural scenes of military encampments, possibly by Jean-Louis Morin (op. 1754–1787). At that time, France was fighting in the Seven Years' War (1756-63), so as often with Sèvres decoration, these were probably inspired by current political events. The lavish garniture was possibly bought by Louis XV in 1759 during the big annual sale held at court in late December.

Search the website