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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Europe 1600-1815, Room 2a

Plaque

1777 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The most important French porcelain factory was founded in 1740 in the royal chateau of Vincennes. In 1756 it was transferred to Sèvres, the other side of Paris, and shortly after was bought by Louis XV. The support and protection of the king and his mistress, Madame de Pompadour, enabled it to secure the best artists, sculptors, designers and chemists. Sèvres porcelain soon became the most sought after in Europe.
The royal manufactory at Sèvres specialised in luxury porcelains, many of which were destined for the French court. Each year it displayed its newest models in the king's apartments at Versailles. The factory was very responsive to changes in fashion and introduced many innovations in design and decoration. Its products were admired throughout Europe and its style was widely imitated.
Painted porcelain plaques were introduced during the 1760s and were displayed on walls as works of art in their own right.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Soft-paste porcelain painted with enamels
Brief description
Plaque of soft-paste porcelain painted with a harvest scene in enamel colours, Sèvres porcelain factory, Sèvres, 1777.
Physical description
Plaque of soft-paste porcelain painted with a harvest scene in enamel colours.
Dimensions
  • Approx. height: 24.1cm
  • Approx. width: 32.4cm
  • Frame, left height: 33.7cm
  • Frame, right height: 33.8cm
  • Frame, top width: 41.4cm
  • Frame, bottom width: 41.8cm
Marks and inscriptions
Two 'L's intertwined and enclosing a 'Z' (Date letter for 1777, in blue enamel)
Credit line
Bequeathed by John Jones
Subject depicted
Summary
The most important French porcelain factory was founded in 1740 in the royal chateau of Vincennes. In 1756 it was transferred to Sèvres, the other side of Paris, and shortly after was bought by Louis XV. The support and protection of the king and his mistress, Madame de Pompadour, enabled it to secure the best artists, sculptors, designers and chemists. Sèvres porcelain soon became the most sought after in Europe.
The royal manufactory at Sèvres specialised in luxury porcelains, many of which were destined for the French court. Each year it displayed its newest models in the king's apartments at Versailles. The factory was very responsive to changes in fashion and introduced many innovations in design and decoration. Its products were admired throughout Europe and its style was widely imitated.
Painted porcelain plaques were introduced during the 1760s and were displayed on walls as works of art in their own right.
Collection
Accession number
770-1882

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
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