Vases à monter c. 1785
Hard-paste porcelain, mottled black/brown ground, gilt bronze and onyx | .1 35 x 19.2 x 12.8, .2 35 x 19 x 13 cm (with fittings) | RCIN 253
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Sèvres hard paste porcelain pair of vases. Mottled black/brown ground (in imitation of tortoiseshell/lacquer) and gilt bronze mounts of siren figures seated on cushions, fitted into leaf cup on four monopodia on square base raised on four fluted feet above onyx square plinth. The elegance and beauty of these vases lies in the skilful combination of a simple form, mottled brown-black ground in simulation of lacquer and finely chased gilt bronze mounts, including mermaid figures and lion’s paw monopodia. The vases resemble an annotated drawing that survives in the manufactory archives, dated 14 March 1785. Designed by Louis-Simon Boizot (1743-1809), this vase was intended to be fitted with mounts supplied by Pierre-Philippe Thomire and the drawing is annotated, 'Vase Serpent Boizot fait pour Monte par Monsieur Tomire.' The vases were displayed at Carlton House under protective glass domes. Text adapted from French Porcelain for English Palaces, Sèvres from the Royal Collection, London, 2009
Provenance
Pierre-Philippe Thomire was the outstanding Parisian bronzeur and gilder of the early nineteenth century. He supplied finely chased mounts to leading Parisien ébénistes for furniture, clocks and the Sèvres porcelain factory. He was much patronised by Napoleon who made him Ciseleur de l'Empereur. His work represents some of the finest examples of Empire style.
In 1804 he acquired business of the marchand-mercier, Martin-Eloi Lignereux. The company employed a large workforce in a workshop at rue Boucherat and a showroom at rue Taitbout, from where Thomire retailed a large range of decorative objects inspired by antiquity including candelabra, extravagant centrepieces, clock cases and monumental Greek and Roman style urns and vases.
Thomire collaborated with three partners, renaming the business for a time Thomire, Duterme et Cie. The business suffered as a result of France's continuing European hostilities and to avoid bankruptcy the firm was granted dispensation to trade with the Prince Regent . Soon after 1815 the partnership with Duterme was dissolved and, under the old style, Thomire et Cie thrived once more under the restored Bourbons.
Thomire retired in 1823 and his two sons-in-law, Louis-Auguste-Cesar Carbonelle and André-Antoine Beauvisage, continued the business until 1852. Thomire continued to work as a sculptor and exhibited regularly at the Salon until 1834.
Possibly purchased by François Benois for George IV in 1815 from Coquille, the Parisian dealer (marchand de curiosités) established at 55 rue Sainte-Anne. He charged 500 francs for ‘Deux Vases en Porcelaine de Sèvres fond Laque, avec figures en or et monture en Bronze’.
By 1 June 1817 they had been placed on the chimney-piece in the Golden Drawing Room, Basement Floor, Carlton House where they appear in a watercolour of c.1817, RCIN 922187.
Included in the Pictorial Inventory of 1827-33 – RCIN 934847. The inventory was originally created as a record of the clocks, vases, candelabra and other miscellaneous items from Carlton House, as well as selected items from the stores at Buckingham House, the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, Hampton Court and Kensington Palace for consideration in the refurbishment of Windsor Castle.
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Creator(s)
(porcelain manufacturer)(nationality)(metalworker)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Hard-paste porcelain, mottled black/brown ground, gilt bronze and onyx
Measurements
.1 35 x 19.2 x 12.8, .2 35 x 19 x 13 cm (with fittings)
Category
Object type(s)
Other number(s)
Laking PC : Laking, G.F., 1907. Sèvres Porcelain of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, London – Laking PC 301Alternative title(s)
Pair of mounted vases
Place of Production
Sèvres [France]