Lot 1

Treasures of France As a young doctor, noted Memphis cardiologist Dr Bruce Wilson fell in love with France. Fascinated by the extraordinary craftsmanship of French decorative arts, drawn by the historic connections that could be made between these objects and the men and women who wielded political and social power during the French Enlightenment, over more than forty years he slowly formed what is today regarded as one of the most important collections of Vincennes and Sèvres porcelain in private American hands. Blessed with 'a good eye' and the patience for diligent research, Dr Wilson has been able to assemble an amazing range of pieces documented as made for a roll call of 18th century European luminaries: Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour, Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and her mother, Marie Therèse of Austria, Catherine the Great of Russia and the Empress Josephine to name but a few. His home is almost overflowing with treasures -- the furniture and paintings create an astonishingly rich backdrop for the museum-quality collection of porcelain. Intricately inlaid Louis XIV marquetry cabinets and sumptuous lacquer commodes are complemented by lush paintings by Boucher and Hüet and gilt-tooled leather bookbindings made for royal libraries. The Louis XV furniture in the guest bedroom, its walls richly covered in green silk damask, includes an amazing mechanical writing table made for Louis XIV's illegitimate grandson, the duc de Penthièvre. The sale is a tribute to one man's passionate pursuit of these treasures, and presents a memorable opportunity for a new generation of collectors.

A PAIR OF SAINT-CLOUD PORCELAIN WHITE POT-POURRI VASES AND COVERS

CIRCA 1750, INCISED P TO ONE

Details

A PAIR OF SAINT-CLOUD PORCELAIN WHITE POT-POURRI VASES AND COVERS
CIRCA 1750, INCISED P TO ONE
Each of fluted baluster form with pierced shoulder and domed cover, applied with garlands of flowers, the rockwork base with a bird perched among further flowering and fruiting vine
11¾ in. (29.7 cm.) high (4)

Provenance

Anonymous sale; Christie's, New York, 21 May 1996, lot 124.

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Lot Essay

For other Saint Cloud pot-pourris with similar applied flowers, see L.H. Roth and C. Le Corbeiller, French Eighteenth Century Porcelain at the Wadsworth Atheneum, Wadsworth Atheneum, 2000, cat. no. 1 for an example from the J. Pierpont Morgan Collection and B. Randot, ed., Discovering the Secrets of Soft-Paste Porcelain at the Saint-Cloud Manufactory ca. 1690-1766, New York, 1999, cat. nos. 164 and 165.

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