Flower vase (vase hollandais nouveau) (one of a pair)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite *Flower Vase (Vase hollandais nouveau)*, one a pair produced by the Sèvres Manactory in 1759, exemplifies the pinnacle of French porcelain artistry during the Louis XV era. Crafted from soft-paste—a creamy, versatile material that allowed for delicate molding and brilliant glazes—the vase stands 8⅞ inches tall (22.5 cm), ideal for holding fresh blooms or as a standalone ornament. Its "hollandais nouveau" (new Dutch) design reflects innovative shapes inspired by Dutch ceramics, adapted with French flair for the royal court. Sèvres, the king's official manufactory near Versailles, revolutionized European porcelain by perfecting soft-paste techniques before hard-paste secrets arrived from Asia. Adorned with landscape motifs—evoking pastoral scenes in vivid enamels—this vase captures the Rococo taste for elegant, nature-inspired decoration amid the opulence of pre-Revolutionary France. Such pieces were prized by aristocracy, symbolizing wealth and refinement. Today, gifted to the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman in 1976, it invites visitors to appreciate the fusion of technical mastery and cultural prestige in 18th-century decorative arts.

About the Artist

Sèvres Manufactory · 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...