Plate (assiette à palmes) (1 of 102) (part of a service)

Art Historical Context

This elegant plate, titled *Assiette à palmes and one of 102 pieces in a grand service, hails from the renowned Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory in France, crafted in 1780. Attributed to the skilled gilder Antoine-Toussaint Corna, it exemplifies the height of 18th-century luxury ceramics during the late Louis XVI period. Measuring 9½ inches in diameter, its soft-paste porcelain body—fired at lower temperatures for a creamy translucency and fine detail—allowed Sèvres artisans to achieve unparalleled refinement, rivaling Chinese imports that once dominated European courts. Adorned with delicate floral motifs, as suggested by its tagging, the plate showcases Sèvres' mastery of painted and gilded decoration. Techniques like intricate gilding and overglaze enameling brought vibrant colors and gold accents to life, making such services status symbols for the aristocracy. Produced under royal patronage, these pieces were designed for opulent banquets, blending rococo exuberance with emerging neoclassical poise. Today, this treasure resides in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Department, thanks to the 1934 bequest of Emma T. Gary. It invites us to envision the lavish tables of Versailles, where porcelain like this whispered of elegance and power.

About the Artist

Sèvres Manufactory|Antoine-Toussaint Cornailles · 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...