Cup (gobelet litron) (one of nine) (part of a service)

Art Historical Context

This delicate *Cup (gobelet litron)*, one of nine from a luxurious service, exemplifies the pinnacle of 18th-century French porcelain at the Sèvresufactory. Produced in 1786 during the lavish final years of Louis XVI's, it measures just 2½ × 2½ inches, perfect for intimate gatherings among the elite. The Sèvres factory, a royal enterprise near Versailles, was renowned worldwide for its soft-paste—a fine, creamy material developed in the 18th century that rivaled Chinese hard-paste imports in translucency and elegance. Adorned with floral motifs by master painters Cyprien-Julien Hirel de Choisy and Etienne-Gabriel Girard, the cup showcases the meticulous *enamel* painting techniques that made Sèvres pieces collector's treasures. These overglaze decorations, fired at low temperatures, allowed vibrant colors to bloom like fresh flowers, symbolizing nature's abundance amid courtly opulence. The *gobelet litron* shape, with its angular facets, was a Sèvres specialty, designed for both functionality and display. Today, this gem resides in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection, thanks to the 1934 bequest of Emma T. Gary. It whispers of a gilded age's refinement, inviting us to appreciate the fusion of craftsmanship and cultural prestige that defined pre-Revolutionary France.

About the Artist

Sèvres Manufactory|Cyprien-Julien Hirel de Choisy|Etienne-Gabriel Girard · 1740–present

The Sèvres Manufactory, one of Europe's premier porcelain producers, was established in 1740 as the Manufacture de Vincennes under the patronage of Queen Marie Leszczyńska, who sought to rival Meissen and Chantilly porcelains with French soft-paste innovations. Initially a private venture, it relocated to Sèvres in 1756 in a purpose-built facility designed by architect Laurent Lindet near Madame d...