Sevres porcelain vase with classical battle scene

A Sevres porcelain flower vase (cuvette a fleurs a tombeau,…
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A Sevres porcelain flower vase (cuvette a fleurs a tombeau, 2eme grandeur), blue interlaced L mark, circa 1770, painted to the front and side panels 'en grisaille' with a classical battle scene and trophies, the 'bleu nouveau' ground with gilt lines and pendant interlaced swags, the reverse panel with a gilt rosette, height 18 cm, width 25 cm, depth 15 cm. Literature: Brunet, M and Preaud, T, 'Sevres: Des origines a nos jours', 1978, p.169, no.134, for a detailed discussion of this shape and four examples in the Wallace collection, see Rosalind Savill, 'The Wallace collection of Sevres Porcelain', 1988, Vol. I, pp. 32-41. Other Notes: other examples of this shape can be found in the Royal Collection, UK, The Metropolitan Museum, USA, and the Getty Museum, USA.

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  • Grisaille -
    Decorative painting in monochrome, usually shades of grey, olive green or buff, painted on wood, plaster, ceramic or stone surfaces to imitate marble figural sculpture or relief ornament.


    Grisaille, from the French "gris", or grey (colour) is a painting technique in which a monochrome image is created using only shades of gray, black and white, usually created by using a gray underpainting or a limited colour palette. It is often used to create the illusion of sculpture or relief on a flat surface, and was commonly used during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

    The technique of grisaille has been used in decorative arts for centuries. It was commonly used in the Renaissance and Baroque periods in Europe to create the illusion of sculptural relief on flat surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and furniture. This technique allowed artists to create the illusion of depth and dimensionality without the use of colour.

    During the Rococo period, grisaille was often used in the production of ceramics and porcelain to create finely detailed designs on a white or light-colored surface.

    In the 19th century, grisaille continued to be used in decorative arts, particularly in the production of ceramics, both Western and Oriental.

  • Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
  • Floral Swag / Garland / Festoon - Floral swags are a decorative motif often used in the ornamentation of various objects, such as silverware, glassware, and furniture. The term "swag" refers to a garland or wreath of flowers, foliage, or other decorative elements, which is usually arranged in a loop or curve.

    Floral swags can be found in a variety of decorative styles, from ornate Baroque and Rococo designs to more naturalistic Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. They are often used to add a touch of elegance, refinement, or whimsy to an object, and can be seen on a range of items from chandeliers and candlesticks to picture frames and tea sets.

    In the decoration of silver objects, floral swags are often used to accentuate the curves and lines of the piece, and to add visual interest to the surface. Similarly, on glass objects, floral swags may be used to frame or highlight a particular area of the object, or to add a touch of color and delicacy.

    On furniture, floral swags can be found on a variety of pieces, from cabinets and armoires to chairs and sofas. They are often used to enhance the lines and curves of the furniture, and can be used to create a sense of movement and flow in the design.

    Overall, floral swags are a versatile decorative element that can be adapted to a range of styles and applications, and have been used in the decoration of various objects throughout history.
  • Rosette - A stylised circular-shaped disk with turned or carved decoration decoration applied to a surface, or carved into the surface, especially used in ceramics, jewellery, furniture, sculpture and textiles. Also known as a boss or a paterae or patera.

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