CIRCA 1785-90, THE MOUNTS ATTRIBUTED TO PIERRE-PHILIPPE THOMIRE

The distinctive husk-trailed handles on this vase reflect the influence of Jean-Claude-Thomas Chambellan-Duplessis (d.1773), son of the sculptor, bronzier and artistic director of the Vincennes-Sèvres Manufactory. From 1752, he assisted his father in creating models, becoming maître fondeur en terre et sable on 12 June 1765 and subsequently appointed bronzier to the Sèvres Manufactory. These handles first appear on the celebrated Chinoiserie Sèvres porcelain garnitures executed between 1774-76, one for Marie-Antoinette, another for the comte de Provence and the third acquired by General Smith in 1778 (one of which was sold from the Riahi Collection, in these Rooms, 2 November 2000, lot 30). On Duplessis' death in 1783, Pierre-Philippe Thomire assumed the role of bronzier to the Sèvres manufactory and these mounts relate to his documented oeuvre. The distinctive gadrooned and pearled ormolu everted rim mount is also seen on a pair of Vases du forme Etrusque of circa 1789-92 acquired by George, Prince of Wales from the dealer Robert Fogg in 1812 and now in the Royal Collection (illustrated in 'Carlton House, The Past Glories of George IV's Palace', Exhibition Catalogue, London, 1991, no.167).

A pair of vases of this exact shape in soft-paste porcelain, marked with the date letter for 1787 and with closely related decoration and the same palette, was also acquired by George, Prince of Wales before 1812 (illustrated in 'Carlton House, The Past Glories of George IV's Palace', ibid, no.157). As the Catalogue notes, a drawing for this outline shape of vase, annotated Vase Boizot que Monsieur Regnier a Choisie au Muzéhomme pour le faire Monté En Cuivre ce 4 juin 1787 Cest M Le Riche qui me la dit de sa part, is in the Sèvres Archives (MNS, RI d3 l5 fo.7r). It was one of the many vases designed by Louis-Simon Boizot, Director of Sculpture at Sèvres from 1773.