Soucoupe thumbnail 1
Soucoupe thumbnail 2

Soucoupe

Saucer
1754-1755 (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.

The gound colour, known as bleu céleste, was introduced in 1753 and remained one of the most popular.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSoucoupe (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Soft-paste porcelain, painted in enamels and gilt
Brief description
Porcelain saucer, painted in enamels and gilt, made by Vincennes porcelain factory, France, 1754-1755
Physical description
Form: straight sided
Ground: bleu celeste
Decoration: flowers
Rim hole
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 15.8cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Interlaced 'L's in blue enamel with date letter 'B' (Maker's mark)
  • 'N script' in blue enamel for Aloncle (Painter's mark)
  • 3 (incised)
Credit line
Bequeathed by D. M. Currie
Object history
D.M. Currie Bequest.
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.

The gound colour, known as bleu céleste, was introduced in 1753 and remained one of the most popular.
Collection
Accession number
C.435A-1921

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 7, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest