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Lot Essay
The present dish is from a service presented by Louis XVI to the Archduke Ferdinand and Archduchess Maria Beatrice of Austria in 1786 in honor of their visit to France. Described in the factory records as fond bleu céleste, Marguerites, barbeaux et Roses, the service was the fifth of six presented by Louis XVI to members of his wife, Marie-Antoinette's, family. It was broken up prior to 1888 after which date pieces appear on the art market in London at Christie's and in Paris at the Palais Galliéra.
Hirel de Choisy is recorded as a painter of flowers and patterns at the factory from 1770-1812 and, at this period, specialized in the decoration of high level pieces for table services. Michel-Barnabé Chauvaux père is recorded as a gilder at the factory from 1752-1788.
Archduke Ferdinand, Marie-Antoinette's older brother, married Maria-Beatrice d'Este, daughter of Ercole III, duke of Modena. Upon the abdication of his father-in-law in 1803, he then became duke of Modena, Reggio, Mirandola, and Breisgau.
For a plate from this service, see The Valentine Collection, Christie's, New York, sale 1566, 21 October 2005, lot 129.
Hirel de Choisy is recorded as a painter of flowers and patterns at the factory from 1770-1812 and, at this period, specialized in the decoration of high level pieces for table services. Michel-Barnabé Chauvaux père is recorded as a gilder at the factory from 1752-1788.
Archduke Ferdinand, Marie-Antoinette's older brother, married Maria-Beatrice d'Este, daughter of Ercole III, duke of Modena. Upon the abdication of his father-in-law in 1803, he then became duke of Modena, Reggio, Mirandola, and Breisgau.
For a plate from this service, see The Valentine Collection, Christie's, New York, sale 1566, 21 October 2005, lot 129.