Tag Archives: Vincennes porcelain

MASTERPIECE 2016: SELECTION 2

Masterpiece London 2016, The Bull Ring Gate Entrance, South Grounds, The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3, 30thJune – 6th July 2016

 

Steinway & Sons White Spirio Heliconia (the Lalique piano) 2016 Courtesy Steinway & Sons

Steinway & Sons
White Spirio Heliconia (the Lalique piano)
2016
Courtesy Steinway & Sons

 

Lowell Libson Thomas Gainsborough Read Admiral Thomas Graves 1788 Courtesy Lowell Libson

Lowell Libson
Thomas Gainsborough
Read Admiral Thomas Graves
1788
Courtesy Lowell Libson

 

Wallace Chan Damask Silk Necklace 2016 DIF Diamond 54pcs 25.22ct Trillion-cut Pink Tourmaline 124pcs 21.38ct Fancy Colored Diamond, Pink Sapphire, White Agate Courtesy Wallace Chan

Wallace Chan
Damask Silk Necklace
2016
DIF Diamond 54pcs 25.22ct
Trillion-cut Pink Tourmaline 124pcs 21.38ct
Fancy Colored Diamond, Pink Sapphire, White Agate
Courtesy Wallace Chan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rose Uniacke The Louis XIV Walnut ‘Os de Mouton’ Sofa France circa 1730 104 x 239 x 77cm Courtesy Rose Uniacke

Rose Uniacke
The Louis XIV Walnut ‘Os de Mouton’ Sofa
France
circa 1730
104 x 239 x 77cm
Courtesy Rose Uniacke

 

Axel Vervoordt Monumental fragment from a standing male statue Leg and Feet on base Roman 2nd century A.D. Courtesy Axel Vervoodt

Axel Vervoordt
Monumental fragment from a standing male statue Leg and Feet on base
Roman 2nd century A.D.
Courtesy Axel Vervoodt

 

Adrian Sassoon A French 18th Century Soft-Paste Vincennes Porcelain Punch Bowl (jatte à ponche) c.1753 Courtesy Adrian Sassoon London

Adrian Sassoon
A French 18th Century Soft-Paste Vincennes Porcelain Punch Bowl (jatte à ponche)
c.1753
Courtesy Adrian Sassoon London

 

http://www.masterpiecefair.com

Waddesdon Manor – The Riches Of The Earth

The Riches Of The Earth, Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, until 25th October 2015

 

Guillaume Beneman, writing table, 1786; oak carcass; veneered with purpleheart; with sycamore, ebony, boxwood and casuarina wood marquetry, gilt-bronze mounts and a leather top; 790 x 1902 x 895mm; Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust) Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957; acc. no. 2575. Photo: Mike Fear © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

Guillaume Beneman, writing table, 1786;
oak carcass; veneered with purpleheart; with sycamore, ebony, boxwood and casuarina wood marquetry, gilt-bronze mounts and a leather top; 790 x 1902 x 895mm;
Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust) Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957; acc. no. 2575.
Photo: Mike Fear © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

Over the coming weeks I shall be writing from time to time about this spectacular Rothschild house which I first visited some fifty years ago and to which I always look forward to returning to whenever possible.

Beauvais, designed by François Boucher, Fontaine d’Amour, 1755-1775; wool and silk; 3365 x 3469mm; Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust) Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957; acc. no. 2438.3. Photo: P J Gates © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

Beauvais, designed by François Boucher, Fontaine d’Amour, 1755-1775;
wool and silk; 3365 x 3469mm;
Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust) Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957; acc. no. 2438.3.
Photo: P J Gates © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

The collections whether paintings, furniture, porcelain, books or textiles are really superb and as a “themed exhibition” this year the visitors attention is drawn to the works and interior features that reflect the wealth of the earth be it as clay, wood, metals, marble or the plants and minerals used for dyes in textiles. You will follow a special trail through the house to a display in the Exhibition Room upstairs.

Chandelier (detail), late 17th century- early 18th century; France; steel, rock crystal and cut glass; Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust) Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957; acc. no. 2741. Photo: Mike Fear © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

Chandelier (detail), late 17th century- early 18th century; France; steel, rock crystal and cut glass; Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust) Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957; acc. no. 2741.
Photo: Mike Fear © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

Shown here is just a small selection that celebrates not only the gifts of the earth but also the family’s collecting over the years.

Table, c 1710-1720; Augsburg, Germany; wood, metal, tortoiseshell; Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust) Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957; acc.no. 2227.1. Photo: John Bigelow Taylor © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

Table, c 1710-1720; Augsburg, Germany; wood, metal, tortoiseshell;
Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust) Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957; acc.no. 2227.1.
Photo: John Bigelow Taylor © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

 

Four large panels symbolising the seasons (detail); 1720-1750; France; oak; Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust) Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957; acc. no. 3565.7. Photo: Mike Fear © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

Four large panels symbolising the seasons (detail); 1720-1750;
France; oak;
Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust) Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957; acc. no. 3565.7.
Photo: Mike Fear © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

 

Pot-pourri vase, Sèvres Manufactory, 1761, Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust). Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957. Photo: Hugo Maertens © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

Pot-pourri vase, Sèvres Manufactory, 1761,
Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust). Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957.
Photo: Hugo Maertens © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

 

Joshua Reynolds, Lady Anne Luttrell, The Duchess of Cumberland (1743-1809), 1772-1773; oil on canvas; 2490 x 1620mm; Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust) Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957; acc. no. 2303 © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

Joshua Reynolds, Lady Anne Luttrell, The Duchess of Cumberland (1743-1809), 1772-1773;
oil on canvas; 2490 x 1620mm;
Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust) Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957; acc. no. 2303
© The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

 

Savonnerie, Duvivier workshop, carpet, 1753-1757; wool; 312 x 285cm; Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust) Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957; acc. no. 2757. Photo: © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

Savonnerie, Duvivier workshop, carpet, 1753-1757;
wool; 312 x 285cm;
Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust) Bequest of James de Rothschild, 1957; acc. no. 2757.
Photo: © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

Lastly a view of the Grey Drawing Room which I am sure will give a very clear view of what makes this such a special place. Indeed I am tempted to paraphrase Dr Johnson and say that when one is tired of Waddesdon, one is tired of life. I most certainly look forward to my next visit.

The Grey Drawing Room, Waddesdon Manor, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust). ©The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

The Grey Drawing Room, Waddesdon Manor, The Rothschild Collection (The National Trust).
©The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

www.waddesdon.org.uk

French and other porcelains of the 18th century

The Lady Cynthia Postan Collection of French and other porcelains of the 18th century, E & H Manners, 66C Kensington Church Street, W8, 21st – 29th May 2015

Catalogue no. 43 A VINCENNES TEAPOT AND A COVER (théière ronde), circa 1750-52

Catalogue no. 43
A VINCENNES TEAPOT AND A COVER (théière ronde), circa 1750-52

This is a great opportunity to acquire pieces from a gifted and true collector who not only bought the best from leading dealers such as Winifred Williams, Pierre de Regaini and Lévy-Lacaze, but was also equally keen to acquire slightly less perfect pieces that were both attractive and helpful in increasing her knowledge of the subject.

Catalogue no. 21 A CHANTILLY KAKIEMON FEEDING VESSEL (biberon), circa 1740

Catalogue no. 21
A CHANTILLY KAKIEMON FEEDING VESSEL (biberon), circa 1740

She first started buying in Paris in the 1950s when her husband Sir Michael Postan, professor of Economic History at Cambridge was at the Sorbonne. He was a collector of Chinese ceramics, especially Song monochrome wares, and no doubt this influenced Lady Cynthia’s interest in the Japanese-inspired decoration found on Chantilly porcelain. She was also interested in Vincennes and early Sèvres.

Catalogue no.16 A CHANTILLY KAKIEMON MUSTARD POT and associated cover, circa 1745

Catalogue no.16
A CHANTILLY KAKIEMON MUSTARD POT and associated cover, circa 1745

It is an exquisite exhibition which is complemented by the finely produced catalogue that accompanies it.

Catalogue no. 47 A VINCENNES OR EARLY SÈVRES COOLER (seau à topette), 1756

Catalogue no. 47
A VINCENNES OR EARLY SÈVRES COOLER (seau à topette), 1756

 

http://www.europeanporcelain.com

BOOK REVIEW: The Belvedere Collection

Vincennes and Early Sèvres Porcelain From the Belvedere Collection
Joanna Gwilt
£60.00 HB
ISBN 9781851777730
270 x 216 mm 256 pp
1000 col
BIC: AFP

Vincennes and Early Sevres Porcelain NEW ARTWORK

What does one say about this delight of a book which looks at the wonderful porcelain of Vincennes and early Sèvres in what is one of the most comprehensive collections of rare, early pieces from this French porcelain factory? The only answer is to buy it!

JUG (COVER AND HANDLE MISSING) (pot à bouillon/marmite) Vincennes, soft-paste porcelain c.1746/7 (Belvedere Collection)

JUG (COVER AND HANDLE MISSING)
(pot à bouillon/marmite) Vincennes, soft-paste porcelain c.1746/7
(Belvedere Collection)

It provides a wonderful survey of the early years of the factory by both giving a welcome history and through the objects themselves. One can see that the rival Meissen manufactory influenced the early porcelain decoration and how the factory’s own style evolved and began to include detailed gilding and ground colours. As well as useful and decorative ware there is also a fine group of sculptural figures. Noted artists such as François Boucher and Oudry provided inspiration for the decoration and earlier etchings were also a decorative source.

VASE (?vase Duplessis Urne/?vase Duplessis à fleurs) c.1750/51Provenance: Elizabeth Parke Firestone Collection, USA Exhibited at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 1956, no. 418 (Belvedere Collection)

VASE (?vase Duplessis Urne/?vase Duplessis à fleurs)
c.1750/51Provenance:
Elizabeth Parke Firestone Collection, USA
Exhibited at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 1956, no. 418
(Belvedere Collection)

One can only admire the taste, perseverance and determination that went into putting this stunning collection together. This shows the factory before the opulent wares we more usually associate with Sèvres became more common; a Meissen collector friend said of the book that it was a pleasure to go through, much more so than a book on later Sèvres collections.

Vincennes/Sèvres soft-paste porcelain, Poeny (paeonia suffruticosa), c.1745–55, Dia. 10.5cm (Belvedere Collection)

Vincennes/Sèvres soft-paste porcelain,
Poeny (paeonia suffruticosa), c.1745–55,
Dia. 10.5cm (Belvedere Collection)

Thanks are due to Joanna Gwilt for her work on this book. She is certainly qualified to write it having been the Assistant Curator at the Royal Collection and also at London’s Wallace Collection. She is also the author of French Porcelain for English Palaces: Sèvres from the Royal Collection (2009). There is also an ebook to accompany the printed version containing additional photographs, showing every piece in close detail. What more can you ask for? As I suggested earlier this should be in every serious enthusiast’s library!

Christie’s, King Street, London – 25 November 2014

The John Shearer Collection of Important Meissen, Vincennes and Sèvres, Christie’s, King Street, London SW1, Tuesday, 25 November 2014, 10:30am

John Shearer CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2014

John Shearer
CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2014

John Shearer (1924–2010) began collecting in the late 1960s and was helped by one of the most well-respected dealers of the time ‘Bob’ Williams (1923-2014). As this sale shows it must have been a very exciting journey with the emphasis on quality, condition and provenance.

Lot 37 A MEISSEN SLOP-BOWL CIRCA 1723-24 Painted on one side with merchants and their wares in a palace interior overlooking the sea with a ship on the water beyond, the other with a procession of Turkish figures, soldiers, horses and a caparisoned elephant on the shore and a dressed barge beyond with blackamoors aboard, within oval gilt scroll-edged cartouches with Böttger-lustre panels issuing shadowed iron-red scrolls, the interior painted possibly by J.E. Stadler with an Oriental holding a fan within a similar cartouche below a gilt band border (minor chip to footrim) 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm.) diam. Estimate 15,000 - 20,000 British pounds CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2014

Lot 37
A MEISSEN SLOP-BOWL
CIRCA 1723-24
Painted on one side with merchants and their wares in a palace interior overlooking the sea with a ship on the water beyond, the other with a procession of Turkish figures, soldiers, horses and a caparisoned elephant on the shore and a dressed barge beyond with blackamoors aboard, within oval gilt scroll-edged cartouches with Böttger-lustre panels issuing shadowed iron-red scrolls, the interior painted possibly by J.E. Stadler with an Oriental holding a fan within a similar cartouche below a gilt band border (minor chip to footrim)
6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm.) diam.
Estimate 15,000 – 20,000 British pounds
CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2014

Many of the pieces in the collection reflect Shearer’s other interests and passions such as his love of seafaring which is seen in the decoration of some of his Meissen. Similarly various Sèvres pieces show he was also interested in ornithology.

Lot 3 A VINCENNES BALUSTER POT AND A COVER (POT 'A BOUILLON' OR 'MARMITE') CIRCA 1746-49, THE CONTEMPORARY COVER POSSIBLY MATCHED Painted in the Meissen style, one side with boats on a river beside a tower, the other with Turkish and European figures in conversation beside a river, supported on three paw feet (very minor wear to enamels) 12.7 cm. (5 in.) high Estimate 50,000 - 80,000 British pounds CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2014

Lot 3
A VINCENNES BALUSTER POT AND A COVER (POT ‘A BOUILLON’ OR ‘MARMITE’)
CIRCA 1746-49, THE CONTEMPORARY COVER POSSIBLY MATCHED
Painted in the Meissen style, one side with boats on a river beside a tower, the other with Turkish and European figures in conversation beside a river, supported on three paw feet (very minor wear to enamels)
12.7 cm. (5 in.) high
Estimate 50,000 – 80,000 British pounds
CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2014

The decoration of very early pieces of Vincennes reflected the style used in Meissen as can be seen in the rare Vincennes pot ‘a bouillon’ circa 1746-49. The Vincennes factory, later Sèvres, very quickly developed its own style which is well represented in the sale and will be familiar to many.

Lot 31 A SEVRES BLEU CELESTE-GROUND SOUP-PLATE FROM THE CATHERINE THE GREAT SERVICE 1778, BLUE INTERLACED L MARK ENCLOSING DATE LETTERS AA, IRON-RED GILDER'S MARK 2000 FOR HENRY-FRANCOIS VINCENT, THE REVERSE APPLIED WITH VARIOUS PRINTED AND SCRIPT COLLECTION AND EXHIBITION LABELS The centre with a crowned floral and gilt 'EII' cypher for Catherine II, Empress of Russia, enclosed by ribbon-tied branches of laurel and myrtle within a circular gilt-framed medallion, the bleu céleste-ground border enriched in gilding with scrolling foliage and reserved with brown-ground oval panels printed and painted en grisaille with mythological vignettes alternating with cameo heads within floral borders with gilt husks, within a gilt lined rim (small restored regilt flat rim chip to front at 7.30 o'clock and reverse at 12 o'clock) 26.6 cm. (10½ in.) diam. Estimate 70,000 - 100,000 British pounds CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2014

Lot 31
A SEVRES BLEU CELESTE-GROUND SOUP-PLATE FROM THE CATHERINE THE GREAT SERVICE
1778, BLUE INTERLACED L MARK ENCLOSING DATE LETTERS AA, IRON-RED GILDER’S MARK 2000 FOR HENRY-FRANCOIS VINCENT, THE REVERSE APPLIED WITH VARIOUS PRINTED AND SCRIPT COLLECTION AND EXHIBITION LABELS
The centre with a crowned floral and gilt ‘EII’ cypher for Catherine II, Empress of Russia, enclosed by ribbon-tied branches of laurel and myrtle within a circular gilt-framed medallion, the bleu céleste-ground border enriched in gilding with scrolling foliage and reserved with brown-ground oval panels printed and painted en grisaille with mythological vignettes alternating with cameo heads within floral borders with gilt husks, within a gilt lined rim (small restored regilt flat rim chip to front at 7.30 o’clock and reverse at 12 o’clock)
26.6 cm. (10½ in.) diam.
Estimate 70,000 – 100,000 British pounds
CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2014

 

PUBLIC VIEWING:

Friday 21 November: 12pm – 5pm

Saturday 22 November: 12pm – 5pm

Sunday 23 November: 12pm – 5pm

Monday 24 November: 9am – 4.30pm

Tuesday 25 November: 9am – 10:30am

Lot 40 A MEISSEN CHINOISERIE SCENT-FLASK AND COVER CIRCA 1730, GREY ENAMEL CLSS MARK AND INDISTINCT LOWER CASE SCRIPT MARK Of flattened axe-head form, each side painted possibly by C.F. Herold with Oriental figures at various pursuits within axe-head shaped gilt cartouches flanked by single figures on Böttger-lustre and gilt scroll supports, the sides with iron-red figural oval medallions enclosed by iron-red and purple foliage with swag and husk ornament, the oval cover with a carnation finial and gilt scroll border (slight wear to gilding, small chips to leaves of finial) 6¼ in. (15.9 cm.) high Estimate 40,000 - 60,000 British pounds CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2014

Lot 40
A MEISSEN CHINOISERIE SCENT-FLASK AND COVER
CIRCA 1730, GREY ENAMEL CLSS MARK AND INDISTINCT LOWER CASE SCRIPT MARK
Of flattened axe-head form, each side painted possibly by C.F. Herold with Oriental figures at various pursuits within axe-head shaped gilt cartouches flanked by single figures on Böttger-lustre and gilt scroll supports, the sides with iron-red figural oval medallions enclosed by iron-red and purple foliage with swag and husk ornament, the oval cover with a carnation finial and gilt scroll border (slight wear to gilding, small chips to leaves of finial)
6¼ in. (15.9 cm.) high
Estimate 40,000 – 60,000 British pounds
CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2014

http://www.christies.com

Vincennes Porcelain Blue Celeste Oval Dish from First Louis XV Service Sells For £70,000

What is it about turquoise coloured Vincennes and Sèvres porcelain that make it so attractive and so sought after?  I think looking at this Vincennes Porcelain Bleu Celeste oval dish many will understand the reason why.

Vincennes porcelain Blue Celeste dish from Louis XV Service

What a dish it is too. Sold by Guildford-based Wellers Auctioneers for £70,000 after enthusiastic competition and setting a new house record, this dish comes from the first service made for Louis XV.  The service introduced Bleu Céleste as a ground colour and the shape of many of the pieces in the service were especially designed by Jean-Claude Duplessis who was created orfèvre du roi (King’s goldsmith) in 1758.  Duplessis had produced designs for the Vincennes factory since the late 1740s.  The service was delivered to the King in three stages between 1753 and 1755.

The successful bidder was La Maison Vandermeersch who specialise in French porcelain and European ceramics.  Speaking of their purchase Camille Le Prince said “We are thrilled for having discovered this exceptional piece, as its shape is very rare. It was designed by Jean Claude Duplessis and its’ drawing is now held at the archives at the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres. We are excited by this new acquisition that will no doubt endow our large exhibition of French porcelain scheduled for June 2014”