Antique Rococo style porcelain centrepiece by Sèvres

Antique Rococo style porcelain centrepiece by Sèvres
French, 1876
Height 24cm, diameter 33.5cm
 
Crafted in 1876 by Sèvres, this exceptional centrepiece is adorned with brilliant hand-painted Rococo-style scenes.
 
The inside of the bowl features a large circular genre scene. A courtly couple is seen sitting in the middle of the composition with a woodland backdrop behind them. They are depicted gazing into each other’s eyes, clearly in love with one another. Both are wearing Rococo-style clothing rendered in bolder hues, making them stand out against the more pastel surroundings. The inside rim is filled with several white ground cartouches among a bleu céleste background. Framed by intricate gilding, they are filled with pastel fruit and flower compositions. The outside of the bowl is decorated similarly but with flower and animal illustrations. The rim of the bowl is gilt and painted with a scalloped pattern, a motif seen on other parts of the piece.
 
The outside of the antique is mostly coloured in the iconic Sèvres bleu céleste shade. The spreading socle stand is painted with nature-inspired gilt decoration on white ground. Towards the base are several gilt borders, their designs matching those on the upper parts of the piece.
 
The underside of the centrepiece is stamped with ‘S. 76’ as well as ‘Dècorè a Sèvres’.
 
Celebrating the work of the centuries-old French porcelain manufactory, this centrepiece is a very desirable addition to a collector’s collection.
 
Artist/Maker: Sèvres