Soucoupe thumbnail 1
Soucoupe thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 143, The Timothy Sainsbury Gallery

Soucoupe

Saucer
1756-1757 (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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSoucoupe (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Soft-paste porcelain painted with enamels and gilded
Brief description
Saucer of soft-paste porcelain painted with enamels and gilded, painted by Taillandier, Sèvres porcelain factory, Sèvres, 1756-1757.
Physical description
Saucer of soft-paste porcelain painted with enamels and gilded. Five-lobed form. Each lobe has a gilt floral arch with a spray of flowers, and the ground outside the arches is apple green and the inside is white.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 14cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Interlaced 'L's with date letter 'D' (Maker's mark in blue enamel)
  • A fleur de lys (Painter's mark in blue enamel for Taillandier)
  • 'bc' (Incised)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Mr John George Joicey
Object history
Goes with cup C.1418-1919.
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.
Collection
Accession number
C.1418A-1919

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Record createdJune 7, 2004
Record URL
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