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Lot Essay
In 1774 Sigisbert François Michel exhibited a pair of plaster ewers sumounted by a triton and a satyr in the Académie de Saint-Luc, Paris. This prototype was later the basis for a number of subsequent ewers in malachite (a pair of which can be seen in the Wallace Collection, London), biscuit porcelain (with a pair in the Musée d'Orléans) and bronze (with a pair in the Musée de Nissim Camondo, Paris). Wedgwood versions in basalt and jasperware could also be found in England after 1775 when John Flaxman Sr. presented Josiah Wedgwood with a plaster model based on Michel's original model- the former version of which can be seen in the Wedgwood Museum, Barlaston.
French Plating, a process closely related to Close Plating, was used by French platers from the early 18th century. The process involved affixing to the article up to 60 layers of silver leaf by heating the object and applying heavy pressure after each layer was applied. The process ceased to be used after circa 1842 when electroplating was developed.
French Plating, a process closely related to Close Plating, was used by French platers from the early 18th century. The process involved affixing to the article up to 60 layers of silver leaf by heating the object and applying heavy pressure after each layer was applied. The process ceased to be used after circa 1842 when electroplating was developed.