.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The decorative program on the present cup and saucer relate directly to the birth of Louis-Joseph Xavier François, 26th Dauphin of France. Born 22 October 1781 as the heir to the French throne, he died just before his eighth birthday on 4 June 1781.
Stems of a lily emblematic of France (and by extension, his father), Innocence, Birth and Beauty and of a rose emblematic of Tender Love (and by extension, his mother) appear throughout. The use of a dolphin or dauphin to represent the child is obvious. Less obvious is the translation of the rebus on the cup. The garland forming the number 8, or 7 + 1, is emblematic of birth and regeneration, the numeral set between the crossed stems of a lily and of a rose. Equally, the numeral could represent infinity, the infinite power of the French throne and the future glory of the Dauphin. The upper loop of the numeral encloses the gilt zodiac symbol for Libra (23 September - 22 October), the sign covering the birth date of the Dauphin. The lower loop encloses two geese - in French deux oies, phonetically de roi or 'of the king'. In other words, a new generation (a son) born to the king under the sign of Libra, ready lead France to future Glory.
Jean-Armand Fallot is recorded at Sèvres 1764-1790 as a painter specializing in ground colors, birds, patterns and later also as a gilder.
Stems of a lily emblematic of France (and by extension, his father), Innocence, Birth and Beauty and of a rose emblematic of Tender Love (and by extension, his mother) appear throughout. The use of a dolphin or dauphin to represent the child is obvious. Less obvious is the translation of the rebus on the cup. The garland forming the number 8, or 7 + 1, is emblematic of birth and regeneration, the numeral set between the crossed stems of a lily and of a rose. Equally, the numeral could represent infinity, the infinite power of the French throne and the future glory of the Dauphin. The upper loop of the numeral encloses the gilt zodiac symbol for Libra (23 September - 22 October), the sign covering the birth date of the Dauphin. The lower loop encloses two geese - in French deux oies, phonetically de roi or 'of the king'. In other words, a new generation (a son) born to the king under the sign of Libra, ready lead France to future Glory.
Jean-Armand Fallot is recorded at Sèvres 1764-1790 as a painter specializing in ground colors, birds, patterns and later also as a gilder.