Sèvres blue porcelain urn on gilt bronze plinth

Sèvres blue porcelain urn on gilt bronze plinth
French, 1875
Height 42cm, width 25cm, depth 21cm
 
This beautiful urn (or vase) was crafted in 1875 by the famous Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory. The urn exhibits the fine detailing and gilding that Sèvres porcelain was renowned for in the 18th and 19th Centuries. The inside of the urn is signed, ‘S.73’, ‘DECORE A SEVRES/ RF/ 75’ .
 
The conical porcelain urn has been painted a speckled royal blue colour and decorated with parcel gilt, navy floral motifs. The body is ornamented around its base with stylised leaf forms, and its centre features a large painting of a flower. Navy porcelain satyr heads project from the shoulders of the urn, serving as handles. The urn body is topped by a slim neck and open mouth, decorated with gilt fluting and navy and gilt flowers.
 
A gilt bronze plinth raises the urn off the ground. This stands on four, inward-curving legs, which are decorated with acanthus leaves and palmettes. A foliage swag hangs in the open space between the legs, and a floral motif is set onto the plinth’s shaped square base.
 
Artist/Maker: Sèvres