Lot Essay
For a full discussion of this shape see Rosalind Savill, op. cit, vol. I, C208-13, pp. 42-55. It was probably designed by Jean-Claude Duplessis père. A drawing of this shape survives in the factory archives. The shape was produced in three sizes, the first size being introduced in 1753 and the second and third size in 1759. This vase is of the second size and they were intended to contain cut flowers
The shape was named in honour of Jacques Dominique de Barberi, Marquis de Courteille (1696-1767). As intendant des Finances from 1751 he was appointed by Louis XV to oversee the factory's finance and administration.
The type of decoration used on this vase was popular in the 1760's and was described as 'mosaique' in the factory's records. One other piece is known with very similar decoration, a plateau Courteille or de chiffonière mounted into the top of a small table at Longleat House, Wiltshire. In 1767 the painter and gilder Etienne-Henry Le Guay, aîné was paid 36 livres, according to the factory's overtime records for painting 'mosaique colorée' on a cuvette Courteille of the second size see Rosalind Savill, ibid, vol. 1, p. 44 and footnote 10, p. 53.
The shape was named in honour of Jacques Dominique de Barberi, Marquis de Courteille (1696-1767). As intendant des Finances from 1751 he was appointed by Louis XV to oversee the factory's finance and administration.
The type of decoration used on this vase was popular in the 1760's and was described as 'mosaique' in the factory's records. One other piece is known with very similar decoration, a plateau Courteille or de chiffonière mounted into the top of a small table at Longleat House, Wiltshire. In 1767 the painter and gilder Etienne-Henry Le Guay, aîné was paid 36 livres, according to the factory's overtime records for painting 'mosaique colorée' on a cuvette Courteille of the second size see Rosalind Savill, ibid, vol. 1, p. 44 and footnote 10, p. 53.