Sevres Saucer

Early high quality European porcelain tended to use the decoration and gilding to show off the very white body of the porcelain.  Where possible less decoration would be used, as the very white body was in its self considered a thing of wonder,  beauty and luxury. 

Porcelain in France is first found with a few examples made in Rouen towards the end of the 17th century.  Soon after 1700 other small factories formed which were working to producing a soft paste porcelain. 

Vincennes was one of the early factories which in around 1756 was moved to a building in Sèvres, built at the initiative of Madame de Pompadour, near her Château de Bellevue and from this time the porcelain produced by this factory was known as Sevres.

Three years later in 1759 the Sevres factory was bough by the King, although Madame de Pompadour was allowed effective free rein to oversee it.

A period of superb quality in both design and production followed, creating much of the enduring reputation of French porcelain. 

The style and quality of this simple little saucer fits with the fashion prevailent at the Sevres factory during the 1760's.

The enamels and the flower painting technique appear identical to that of a flower painter called Pequery who was working at the Sevres factory between 1763-68.  I believe that this saucer could be attributed to his work.

There is an incised mark next to the foot rim which would have been made by moulder.

A small hole next to the inside of the foot rim, which is usually found on French porcelain particularly of the 18th century period and the interlaced double "L's" of the Sevres factory in blue.

The rim is gilded with dog tooth gilding and in good condition.

A delightful Saucer from the Sevres factory made at a time when the quality was coming to its height.

Maker's marks:
Sevres double "L's" mark in blue.  An incised potters mark

Dimensions:
150mm diameter at the rim

Weight:
150g

Age:
157 years

Condition:
Excellent:  No chips cracks or restoration.  The gilding is intact and the enamels excellent.  One flower appears to have three small scratches,  please see the pictures.  There are some black inclusions which are from the time of manufacture.  

Maker:
Sevres