Collecting 101

1.

History

The story of Sèvres porcelain begins a few miles west of the famous village, at the Château de Vincennes to the east of modern-day Paris. Around 1740, the Marquis Orry de Fulvy established a porcelain manufactory here, and was granted a royal privilege to produce pieces inspired by Meissen but using soft-paste porcelain as the arcanum for hard-paste porcelain eluded him. In 1753, the factory received much-needed Royal Patronage and continued as Manufacture du Roi under the ownership of Louis XV. Such was its success, that it moved to a purpose-built factory on the edge of Sèvres in 1756, where it continues to produce porcelain to this day.

With Louis XV and his mistress, Madame de Pompadour, as its patrons, Sèvres soon became the leading porcelain manufactory in Europe. Under the direction of Jean-Claude Duplessis, it developed its own unique Rococo style, and stepped out of Meissen’s shadow to become a leading porcelain manufactory. It built a reputation for producing opulent wares for the domestic market, and became an important source for diplomatic gifts, used to cement important alliances in Europe and beyond. After years of research, the chemists at Sèvres finally uncovered the secret of hard-paste porcelain, and it began to be produced in the manufactory in the 1770s. Production suffered but miraculously continued during the French Revolution, and the manufactory became the property of the French government with the abolition of the monarchy. As one of the many flailing manufacturers deemed to be too closely related to the tastes of the Ancien Regime, Sèvres could have easily failed to make the step into the new Napoleonic era, but the manufactory’s fortunes revived in the early 19^th century, and it became a favourite of several French rulers, not least Emperor Napoleon I.

2.

Style

The earliest pieces of Sèvres porcelain are indebted to Meissen design, applied to a creamy soft-paste porcelain body. From the 1750s, a distinct Sèvres aesthetic emerges: a rococo style, often echoing silver shapes, with graceful, fluid and asymmetrical designs inspired by natural forms. The decoration often references organic shapes, featuring flowers and birds. From the 1760s, Sèvres began developing a neo-classical style, which reached its peak during the reign of Emperor Napoleon I, whose love of Ancient Greek and Egyptian design was a driving force at the factory.

Throughout its different design styles, Sèvres porcelain is characterised by the use of ground colours in brilliant shades. They work in perfect harmony with the shape of the object, framing delicate painterly cartouches of putti, flowers, fruits and animals. Sèvres is perhaps best known for its blue tones: bleu-lapi and bleu-céleste. The porcelain is also admired for its rich, three-dimensional gilding. In a painstaking process, the gold is applied and burnished to create a matte finish, and finally tooled to create intricate patterns.

3.

Collecting Sèvres Today

If you’re looking to start a Sèvres collection, consider this guide the first step on your voyage of discovery. You can learn more about Sèvres porcelain by visiting public collections and museums, such as the V&A and the Wallace Collection in London, the Musée National de Céramique de Sèvres in Paris, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

For more detailed information, there are collectors’ societies and several reference books on porcelain, and Sèvres in particular. Furthermore, you can find a treasure trove of information at the archive in Sèvres. It’s one of the few factories with an on-site archive, which remains largely intact. Records dating back to the 18^th century are available to view, attracting scholars, amateur researchers and prominent buyers alike.

Once you find the Sèvres style you love, be it the earlier fluid rococo style or later immaculate neo-classicism, it’s only by handling the pieces that you can truly appreciate the quality of the materials and the meticulous craftmanship. A Bonhams sale preview is the perfect opportunity to experience Sèvres porcelain, to study it up close and hold a piece in your hands.

4.

On The Market

With its royal connections and exemplary reputation, there is a strong market for Sèvres porcelain around the world. The price range is vast, from around £300 to over £1 million. For pieces at the lower end of the spectrum, look for single items, such as a cup or a saucer, with only simple decoration. In general, 19^thcentury pieces are relatively affordable, unless they have a Napoleonic connection, in which case they can achieve impressive results at auction.

At the other end of the spectrum, the most valuable pieces tend to be 18^th century, and those with a distinguished provenance, especially a royal association. There are also certain painters who command a premium such as Nicholas Dodin and Armand l'aîné, whose work is known to be of the highest quality. Elaborate designs, with ornate gilding and detailed scenes are also particularly valuable.

Whatever your budget, be guided by what you love, and buy the best available within your price range. When you find a piece that sets your pulse racing, just consider the condition, and be aware that any restoration work, however well-concealed, will inevitably affect the future price. It’s also important to beware of copies. Sèvres became immensely popular in the 19^th century, often fetching the price of an upmarket London townhouse, so many copies from the 19^th century are still in circulation today. From 1754, Sèvres porcelain features the royal cipher of interlaced ‘L’s, with a letter in the middle denoting the year. It’s a good idea to look for these marks, but they do not guarantee authenticity. There are many Sèvres-style pieces with spurious marks, or pieces that have been decorated elsewhere at a later date. If you’re in doubt, buy with a reputable dealer or an auctioneer you trust.

5.

Care and Display

While the painted decoration on porcelain is quite safe from constant touching and sunlight, it should be noted that gilding and fine surface tooling can eventually start wearing from continued rubbing. Ultimately, how you choose to care for and display your Sèvres porcelain is a personal choice. If you’re nervous about the fragility of a particularly valuable piece, you may get more enjoyment from it knowing that it’s safely stored in a display cabinet. There may be less precious pieces you wish to use on special occasions, or objects that you’re happy to have standing freely on pieces of furniture. Of course, accidents can happen. But you’ll be glad to know that these incidents are very infrequent indeed. If you handle these objects with the care and attention they deserve, you’ll find they bring you a world of joy, and give you an intimate insight into the life of the owners that loved and cared for these pieces before you.