Lot Essay
This sugar-bowl and cover formed part of a dinner-service with decoration described as 'guirlandes' which was supplied by the marchand-mercier Lazare Duvaux for King Louis XV's use at the Château de Fontainebleau. There were numerous supplements to the service, the first in 1763 with further additions delivered through to the 1780s and subsequently there are slight variations in the style of decoration. Surviving components of the 1757-58 deliveries include two sucrier ovale, of which one, also bearing date letter D is still at Fontainebleau. Louis XV and his court gathered at Fontainebleau in the autumn every year for the hunting season. The service was one of Louis XV's more inexpensive services and was probably used in a principle guest dining room. A large proportion of this service was sold by Christie's Monaco on 7 December 1987, lot 253. For a full discussion of the service see Yves Carlier, Le service Camaïeu Carmin de Fontainebleau, Paris, 2006, and p. 58, fig. 40 for the other oval sugar-bowl, cover and stand bearing date letter D.