Lot Essay
These very grand pieces are probably identifiable at Vincennes, where only 6 seaux à bouteille in white and gold appear in the archives.
The Stock list of October 1752 records 2 "fleur et corbeille en or" at 72 livres each. The Kiln records show 4 removed from the enamelling Kiln December 31, 1952. These were evidently sold to M. Duplex ten days later at 144 livres each.
In 1751, the Duc de Richelieu had acquired "2 seaux à bouteilles fleurs et corbeilles en or" at 144 livres each.
Since the present lot has no corbeilles (bassats) in the decoration and since their size and rich in gilding suggest they would have cost 144 L., they are more likely to be the pair sold to M. Duplex.
His name was probably spelt Dupleix, in which case his identity is not far to seek. Marquis Joseph François Dupleix (1697-1763) succeeded Dumas as Gouverneur Général de la Compagnie des Indes 1741/
His army of sepoys commanded by French officers was put at the service of quarellsome Hindu princes. He received in exchange money, land and trading concessions. He wanted to drive the British out of India and took Madras for them. Beseiged in Pondicherry, he managed to defend the town. He gained control of vast territories extending from the Gulf of Bengal to the Gulf of Oman. However his policies were expensive and brought no immediate results and he was recalled in 1754.
Not long afterwards the Bristish drove out the French and at the Treaty of Paris in 1767 France was left with only 5 towns. In the same year Dupleix died a ruined man.
The Stock list of October 1752 records 2 "fleur et corbeille en or" at 72 livres each. The Kiln records show 4 removed from the enamelling Kiln December 31, 1952. These were evidently sold to M. Duplex ten days later at 144 livres each.
In 1751, the Duc de Richelieu had acquired "2 seaux à bouteilles fleurs et corbeilles en or" at 144 livres each.
Since the present lot has no corbeilles (bassats) in the decoration and since their size and rich in gilding suggest they would have cost 144 L., they are more likely to be the pair sold to M. Duplex.
His name was probably spelt Dupleix, in which case his identity is not far to seek. Marquis Joseph François Dupleix (1697-1763) succeeded Dumas as Gouverneur Général de la Compagnie des Indes 1741/
His army of sepoys commanded by French officers was put at the service of quarellsome Hindu princes. He received in exchange money, land and trading concessions. He wanted to drive the British out of India and took Madras for them. Beseiged in Pondicherry, he managed to defend the town. He gained control of vast territories extending from the Gulf of Bengal to the Gulf of Oman. However his policies were expensive and brought no immediate results and he was recalled in 1754.
Not long afterwards the Bristish drove out the French and at the Treaty of Paris in 1767 France was left with only 5 towns. In the same year Dupleix died a ruined man.