Flower vase (vase hollandais nouveau) (one of a pair)
Medium
Soft-paste porcelain
Dimensions
8 7/8 x 6 3/4 in. (22.5 x 17.1cm)
Classification
Ceramics-Porcelain
Culture
French, Sèvres
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 1976
Accession Number
1976.155.60a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Flower Vase (Vase hollandais nouveau)*, one a pair produced by the Sèvres Manactory in 1759, exemplifies the pinnacle of French porcelain artistry during the Louis XV era. Crafted from soft-paste—a creamy, versatile material that allowed for delicate molding and brilliant glazes—the vase stands 8⅞ inches tall (22.5 cm), ideal for holding fresh blooms or as a standalone ornament. Its "hollandais nouveau" (new Dutch) design reflects innovative shapes inspired by Dutch ceramics, adapted with French flair for the royal court. Sèvres, the king's official manufactory near Versailles...
About the Artist
Sèvres Manufactory · 1740–present
The Sèvres Manufactory, one of Europe's premier porcelain producers, was established in 1740 as the Manufacture de Vincennes under the patronage of Queen Marie Leszczyńska, who sought to rival Meissen and Chantilly porcelains with French soft-paste innovations. Initially a private venture, it relocated to Sèvres in 1756 in a purpose-built facility designed by architect Laurent Lindet near Madame d...