(Tasse) Gobelet a lait
Cup and Cover
1759 (made)
1759 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This large, practical cup was used for the milk drinks taken in private apartments by those with ailments or hangovers. Hot or cold milk was mixed with water, wine, beer, floral infusions, beef or mutton broth, chicken or veal stock, and cereals such as barley, rice or sago. The deep saucer could be used for bread or as a bowl for cooling the drink.
Cups and saucers of this type were made at Vincennes/Sèvres factory from 1752 until the 1780s. King Louis XV, his mistress Mme. de Pompadour and many members of the court are listed in the sales records as purchasing them. We know from the inventory taken on her death in 1764 that Mme. de Pompadour kept examples of this shape in her garde-robe, the room used in the same way as a plumbed-in bathroom today.
The painter Etienne Evans was one of many fan painters who were employed by the factory, starting at Vincennes in 1752 and only finally retiring from Sèvres nearly fifty years later in 1800. He specialised in bird decoration.
Cups and saucers of this type were made at Vincennes/Sèvres factory from 1752 until the 1780s. King Louis XV, his mistress Mme. de Pompadour and many members of the court are listed in the sales records as purchasing them. We know from the inventory taken on her death in 1764 that Mme. de Pompadour kept examples of this shape in her garde-robe, the room used in the same way as a plumbed-in bathroom today.
The painter Etienne Evans was one of many fan painters who were employed by the factory, starting at Vincennes in 1752 and only finally retiring from Sèvres nearly fifty years later in 1800. He specialised in bird decoration.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Title | (Tasse) Gobelet a lait (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Soft-paste porcelain, painted in enamels and gilt |
| Brief description | Soft paste porcelain cup and cover, painted in enamels and gilt with birds and floral patterns, made at Sèvres porcelain factory, France, 1759 |
| Physical description | Form: two loop handles, acanthus moulded ends Ground: white Decoration: birds and flowers Lid Knop Form: fruit and leaf knop |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | Cup and saucer (gobelet à lait)
1759
This cup was for the milky drinks taken in private apartments by those who were unwell. Hot or cold milk was mixed with wine or beer, floral infusions, meat broth and cereals such as barley, rice or sago. The deep saucer was used for bread and as a bowl for cooling the drink.
France (Paris)
Made at the Sèvres factory
Porcelain painted in enamels and gilded
Given by Mrs Herbert Allen (Mrs Maude Louise Allen)
(09/12/2015) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Herbert Allen (Maude Louise Allen) |
| Object history | Given by Mrs. Herbert Allen, Maude Louise Allen. According to Savill (see below) this shape was introduced in 1753 in two sizes, although 'gobelets à lait à deux anses couverts' are recorded in 1752. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This large, practical cup was used for the milk drinks taken in private apartments by those with ailments or hangovers. Hot or cold milk was mixed with water, wine, beer, floral infusions, beef or mutton broth, chicken or veal stock, and cereals such as barley, rice or sago. The deep saucer could be used for bread or as a bowl for cooling the drink. Cups and saucers of this type were made at Vincennes/Sèvres factory from 1752 until the 1780s. King Louis XV, his mistress Mme. de Pompadour and many members of the court are listed in the sales records as purchasing them. We know from the inventory taken on her death in 1764 that Mme. de Pompadour kept examples of this shape in her garde-robe, the room used in the same way as a plumbed-in bathroom today. The painter Etienne Evans was one of many fan painters who were employed by the factory, starting at Vincennes in 1752 and only finally retiring from Sèvres nearly fifty years later in 1800. He specialised in bird decoration. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.111-1922 |
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| Record created | June 7, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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