 Garniture of Three Lidded Vases: Vases C de 1780 or Vases Paris nouvelle forme (“C 1780” or “New Paris Shape” Vases), 1781
Manufactured by the Royal Porcelain Manufactory, Sèvres, with figural scenes on the fronts painted by Pierre-André Le Guay (French, active 1773–1817); landscapes on the backs painted by Edme-François Bouillat (French, c. 1740–1810); ground decoration by Geneviève Taillandier (French, active 1774–1798); gilding by Etienne-Henry Le Guay (French, 1719/20–c. 1799); jeweling by Philippe Parpette (French, 1736–1808?)
Soft-paste porcelain, pink pointillé ground, polychrome enamel decoration, embossed gold foils, enameled “jeweled” decoration, gilding. Arabella D. Huntington Memorial Art Collection.
This garniture, or set of three vases, is a stunning example of jeweled enameling, the most extravagant type of decoration produced at the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory during the 18th century. The process involved applying embossed gold foils enameled in translucent or opaque colors, giving the effect of jewels. Each vase is further embellished with scenes adapted from paintings by some of the most important French artists of the 18th century. The scene on the center vase, for example, is based on The Three Graces, a painting by Carle van Loo.
Jeweled Sèvres porcelain vases were not produced in great quantities, probably because they were so costly. Only the most accomplished decorators worked on such exceptional pieces, and only the most elite customers could afford to buy them. This garniture is thought to have been owned by Queen Marie-Antoinette.
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