A pair of Empire Sèvres tortoiseshell-ground porcelain two-handled vases Etrusque

A pair of Empire Sèvres tortoiseshell-ground porcelain two-handled
vases Etrusque and covers, 1809

Red stencilled Sèvres marks for 1809

Height: 41 cm. (16 ¼ in.)     Width: 19.5 cm. (7 ¾ in.)     Depth: 17 cm. (6 ¾ in.)

Gilt with acanthus scrolls and palmettes, on faux bleu turquin marble bases

Provenance

Very probably delivered on 18 October 1809 to Madame Albizzi

Christie’s Paris, 3-4 May 2016, lot 233

Collection of Philip Hewat-Jaboor

The Sevres Archives for the period 1808-1810 reveal that very few pairs of vases were produced and even fewer with this characteristic coloured ‘fond écaille‘ ground. The only mention that could correspond, both in the assessment sheets (PB1), and in the register of credits to the Government from 1808-1810 (Vbb2,123) is the delivery for Madame Albizzi. Here we find the mention of “2 vases etrusques carafes 2 g fond ecaille frise or Boitel… 90 (francs)” on 18 October 1809; and by order of the emperor « 31 decembre 1810 / pour Mad. Albizzi / (…) 2 vases forme Etrusque fond ecaille / decor or Paire… 180 (francs) ».