Sèvres Elephant vase

myminifactory

Waddesdon Manor proudly showcases an extraordinary collection of exquisite Sèvres porcelain, widely admired by connoisseurs around the globe. Following Johann Friedrich Böttger's pioneering work in commercializing Chinese porcelain during the 18th century, this coveted art form skyrocketed to become one of Europe's most valuable commodities. Böttger was indeed the first to introduce authentic porcelain to European markets, although soft paste porcelain was already being produced at Chantilly, St Cloud, and Vincennes since 1738. The renowned factory of Vincennes, renowned for creating exquisite porcelain for royalty (Manufacture royale), relocated to Sèvres, where it rapidly developed its own distinctive forms and decoration. Over time, the Sèvres factories spawned numerous variants as skilled painters and gilders were granted permission to add a personalized 'mark' on their pieces, allowing art enthusiasts to identify the master craftsmen behind each work of art. A comprehensive guide for matching artists with their unique styles can be found in David Peters' seminal book, "Sèvres Plates and Services of the 18th Century."