We are exceptionally proud to showcase this fantastic pair of early 20th century, hard paste Parisian matching hand painted porcelain urns set on square base plinths. These are both in the classic Louis XIV style, in the Sevres tradition, and each carries an apocryphal Sevres crossed double L with a center dot mark, which would indicate a 1753 soft paste potting. Of course, the slip molded hard paste urns, featuring a thin enamel green diaper pattern ground, the floral hand decoration, and gilt techniques are all from the period ca. 1910 to 1925. These gorgeous 12.25" tall forms sport heavy Rococo gilded border spring floral + horn & tambourine medallions, twisted gilt finials, and special stylized dragon handles. It is difficult to find these Paris porcelain items in excellent condition, nonetheless a gorgeous pair in wonderful shape with only some minor gilt & enamel wear. Our 6 inch wide x 12.25 " urns will ship at a total of 10 pounds in an 18 x 18 x 16" box. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The Sèvres Company was founded in 1738. In 1740, the Vincennes manufactory was created, with the support of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour, and operated successfully until 1756, when the factory moved to Sèvres, near Madame de Pompadour's Bellevue Palace. This new building, 130 meters longer, was built between 1753 and 1756 with Lindet as its architect. It became The Royal Porcelain Manufactory in 1759 with Jean-Claude Chambellan Duplessis serving as artistic director, first of the Vincennes porcelain manufactory in 1748, assuming the duties at Sèvres from 1756 until his passing in 1774. Louis-Simon Boizot was director between 1774 and 1800, and was followed by the legendary Alexandre Brongniart, who lovingly controlled the development of styles and Sevres’s growth between 1800 & 1847. Henri Victor Regnault took over as director after Alexandre Brongniart. Initial Sevres china was called "soft porcelain" that was fired at a low temperature, and was both very malleable as well as fragile due to the soft clay formula. The advantage of soft paste porcelain was that the truly bright and thick opaque cover enamels were fired low maintaining a depth and a singular warmth that out-shown the somewhat more sterile enamel formulas used on the hotter fired hard (Kaolin rich) paste porcelain. By 1769, the Sevres porcelain changed in formula, when a deposit of kaolin was found in Limoges, and the substance was found to be perfect for making the porcelain both stronger and harder. The early sumptuous period of Sevres soft paste porcelain lasted only from 1756 to 1769. In the latter year, there began the manufacture of hard paste porcelain conjointly with the soft paste. A great quantity of both were produced, and sold at an equally premium price. To encourage the artists responsible for the designs and decoration to innovate, and also to help the sales, the King had exhibitions of porcelain every year in the Palace at Versailles. These he not only attended in person, but he actually played the part of barker and salesman! When Louis XVI succeeded to the throne, royal interest in the factory was continued, both on the part of the King himself, who took deep pride in the Sevres achievements, and also on the part of the Queen, for Marie Antoinette dearly loved the association with the designers & painters. The deterioration of the Monarchy culminating with the French Revolution, saw the Sevres factory in a sorry plight as it was with the workers. However, Napoleon’s love of French classical art forms translated into a renewed interest in the Sevres works. Under the Napoleonic regime, order was restored and the establishment was again put on its feet, for Napoleon saw in it a means of contributing to the splendor and outward display of pomp about which he was so solicitous, and which he knew how to use to such good purpose. In this era much magnificent & elaborate porcelain was produced. The great physicist Brongniart became director in 1800, and his energies were directed to perfecting the hard paste body. It was at this time, ca. 1805 that the making of the beautiful soft paste porcelain at Sevres was definitely abandoned. The harder china meant that for the first time, Sevres could produce small to intermediate figurines, and not just large vases, urns, and ewers. All true Sevres pieces have exceptional inherent value, but the pre-1805 pieces are the most valuable.

Excellent condition, very minor gilt wear