Vase momie rectifié 1775
Soft-paste porcelain, green ground, gilded decoration and gilt bronze | 48.3 x 24.1 x 21.9 cm (parts .a and .b together) | RCIN 2362
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The vase, of Medici shape, with a rich green ground colour, is painted with scenes evoking autumn and the wine harvest. On the front, putti clutching bunches of grapes are playing with a goat munching grapes. On the reverse side, the freshness of the bunches of fruit is enhanced by the amusing addition of dewdrops and a small snail on the plums. The bacchanalian theme is discreetly echoed in the particularly delicate and refined gilding incorporating vine-leaf trails.
The vase represents a slightly modified version of a vase momie, fitted with sphinx heads for handles, a version of which is held in the Royal Collection. The qualification ‘rectifié ’ was sometimes added to distinguish this later version from the original model.
Text adapted from French Porcelain for English Palaces, Sèvres from the Royal Collection, London, 2009Provenance
In the quarter ending 5 July 1813 Robert Fogg sold to George IV for £367 10s ‘Three fine Seve Porcelaine Vases Green Ground painted in Figures & Cupids’. They were described more fully by Benjamin Jutsham when he entered them in the Carlton House receipts’ ledger in January 1814: ‘Three fine Old Seve Porcelaine Vases with Covers, Green Ground & Gold painted in Compartments of Flowers, the Centre one with Flowers & Cupids with Gilt Scrool handles, the Two Side ones painted with Figures and Flowers with Gilt Boy Head handles’. Jutsham noted in the Comments column that ‘these Articles were delivered to Mr Benois in the July Quarter 1813’ and further, that the centre vase had been placed in store. By 1826 the vase had been installed in the Anti Room, Basement Floor, Carlton House: ‘No.68. A green and gold Seve Porcelain Vase and Cover, with fir apple top and scroll handles, the front compartment painted in Landscape and Cupids, with grapes and goat, and the back in flowers [sic] – 17 In. high’.
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Creator(s)
(porcelain manufacturer)(nationality)(metalworker)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Soft-paste porcelain, green ground, gilded decoration and gilt bronze
Measurements
48.3 x 24.1 x 21.9 cm (parts .a and .b together)
Category
Object type(s)
Other number(s)
Place of Production
Sèvres [France]