Vincennes and Early Sevres Porcelain: From the Belvedere Collection

The glittering and colourful opulent wares of the renowned eighteenth-century French royal Sevres manufactory are prominently displayed in palaces and art galleries throughout the world. By contrast, the comparative delicacy and simplicity of the beautiful wares of the Vincennes porcelain works, out of which the Sevres factory evolved, remain relatively unknown, even to porcelain experts, who will find much that is alluring and surprising in this remarkable book.This book is based on the Belvedere Collection of Vincennes and early Sevres porcelain, started 40 years ago with the modest purchase of an early Vincennes cup and saucer, but which has since grown to be one of the world's most comprehensive study collections for the rare early pieces of these two factories.The range of items in the Belvedere Collection is such that it is possible to follow virtually every step in the development of that first Vincennes manufactory, established in 1740 by a small band of craftsmen at the royal chateau of Vincennes to the east of Paris. Their success in overcoming technical and artistic challenges and their rivalry with other European manufactories led them to produce porcelain of such decorative exuberance and technical virtuosity that it was eagerly sought by royal and aristocratic patrons, especially after the transfer of the manufactory to Sevres in 1756.The lavish illustrations that enrich this book reveal the growing repertoire of shapes and sophisticated decoration produced at the Vincennes and early Sevres manufactories. Of particular note are detailed photographs of the technical innovations, including the introduction of sculptural figures and biscuit porcelain, the broadening range of decorative enamel and early ground colours and the increasingly complex gilding that became synonymous with Vincennes and early Sevres porcelain.Extensive research undertaken in preparation of the book, and important archival documents, published here for the first time, reveal new design sources, complemented by glossaries and appendices of marks. The e-book that accompanies the printed version contains additional photographs, showing every piece in great detail, making it perfect for scholars, collectors and enthusiasts of works that once decorated the luxuriously appointed hotels and chateaux of Europe.