Saucer
1793-1800 (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. During the French Revolution, which brought about a disastrous drop in sales of luxury porcelain, the factory was Nationalised and began producing patriotic wares.
Symbols of the Republic depicted on this cup and saucer (770 & A -1877) include a triangular stonemason's or carpenter's level (representing Equality and Justice), scales and serpents (representing Justice, Eternity and the Constitution of France), Fasces (a bundle of bound rods surrounding an axe, representing ancient Roman Power and Jurisdiction), a Phrygian cap (Liberty), oak (civic virtue and force) and the Revolutionary flag (tricolore).
Symbols of the Republic depicted on this cup and saucer (770 & A -1877) include a triangular stonemason's or carpenter's level (representing Equality and Justice), scales and serpents (representing Justice, Eternity and the Constitution of France), Fasces (a bundle of bound rods surrounding an axe, representing ancient Roman Power and Jurisdiction), a Phrygian cap (Liberty), oak (civic virtue and force) and the Revolutionary flag (tricolore).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain, painted in enamels and gilt |
| Brief description | Saucer, porcelain, painted in enamels and gilt with Republican devices, Sèvres porcelain factory, France, 1793-1800 |
| Physical description | Cup, porcelain, painted in enamels and gilt with Republican devices. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | Cup and saucer
About 1793–1800
This cup and saucer were made at least a year after the Sèvres porcelain factory transferred from royal to state ownership. They show that the production of luxury goods did not stop during the Revolution. The factory adapted some of its designs to reflect political events. Here, Republican symbols include the Phrygian cap, a symbol of liberty, and the new flag of the Republic.
France (Paris)
Made at the Sèvres factory
Porcelain painted in enamels and gilded
With ‘RF’ monogram for République Française(09/12/2015) |
| Object history | From the Bond Collection Acquisition type: Purchase |
| Subjects 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. During the French Revolution, which brought about a disastrous drop in sales of luxury porcelain, the factory was Nationalised and began producing patriotic wares. Symbols of the Republic depicted on this cup and saucer (770 & A -1877) include a triangular stonemason's or carpenter's level (representing Equality and Justice), scales and serpents (representing Justice, Eternity and the Constitution of France), Fasces (a bundle of bound rods surrounding an axe, representing ancient Roman Power and Jurisdiction), a Phrygian cap (Liberty), oak (civic virtue and force) and the Revolutionary flag (tricolore). |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 770A-1877 |
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| Record created | June 7, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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