Saucer (one of nine) (part of a service)

Art Historical Context

This delicate saucer, one of nine from a larger porcelain service crafted in 1786 at the renowned Sèvres Manactory near Paris, exemplifies the height of French luxury ceramics during the late Ancien Régime. under the patronage of Louis XVI, Sèvres porcelain was a symbol of royal opulence, blending technical innovation with exquisite artistry. Decorated by skilled enamelists Cyprien-Julien Hire de Choisy and-Gabriel Girard, features intricate floral motifs—likely hand-painted in vibrant enamels and accented with gilding—that evoke the Rococo elegance transitioning toward Neoclassicism. Made from soft-paste porcelain, a Sèvres specialty prized for its creamy translucency and ability to hold fine details, the saucer measures just 5¼ inches in diameter, perfect for intimate tea rituals among the aristocracy. This medium allowed artists to layer colors and gold with precision, creating depth and luminosity unmatched by contemporaries. As part of a matching service, it would have graced elegant tables, showcasing France's mastery in ceramics rivaling Chinese imports. Today, housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art thanks to the 1934 bequest of Emma T. Gary, this piece invites us to appreciate the craftsmanship of a fading monarchy, where every flower petal whispered refinement and excess.

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...