Sèvres Eared Vase

This vase (and its mate, accession no. 48.612) was likely made in the mid-19th century by the leading British ceramic manufacturer Minton & Co. It’s shape largely replicates a vase form which was designed by Jean-Claude Duplessis and first manufactured in the mid-1750s by Vincennes and then Sèvres, the royal porcelain factories of France. Minton called its version of this form “Sèvres Eared Vase” which parallels the Sèvres name for the model, "vase à oreilles," or “vase with ears”. During the 19th century Sèvres porcelain from 18th century were increasingly sought after by collectors and a number of English manufacturers, like Minton, created versions of Sèvres shapes to satisfy consumer demand. The turquoise blue ground glaze on this vase is likely meant to evoke the “bleu céleste,” or celestial blue ground color that Sèvres became well known for after its introduction in 1753. By the early 20th century, this vase and its pair were sold as 18th-century Sèvres originals.

Inscription

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

George Lindsay Holford (1860–1926), London, by 1926 [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; George Lindsay Holford sale, London, 1927, no. 174 [1]; Collection of Edwin Marriott Hodgkins (1860–1932), Paris, 1927 [mode of acquisition unknown]; with A. Seligmann, Rey and Co., New York, by 1928 [mode of acquisition unknown]; purchased by Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1928; by bequest to the Walters Art Museum, 1931.

[1]. Christie, Manson & Woods, “Catalogue of Old Italian Furniture and Majolica, Old French Furniture, Objects of Art and Porcelain, the Property of the Late Sir George Lindsay Holford, K.C.V.O., C.I.E., C.B.E., Removed from Dorchester House, Park Lane, W., and Westonbirt, Gloucestershire,” sale cat., London, 13-14 July 1927, p. 29: “174 A PAIR OF SÈVRES TULIP-SHAPED VASES—8 in. high. With turquoise ground, painted with children and landscapes in oval panels with gilt foliage borders.”