Pair of elephant-head vases (vases à tête d'éléphant)
Medium
Soft-paste porcelain
Dimensions
1983.185.10: 13 1/2 × 8 1/2 in. (34.3 × 21.6 cm); 1983.185.11: 13 3/4 × 8 1/2 in. (34.9 × 21.6 cm)
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, 1983
Accession Number
1983.185.10, .11
Tags
Art Historical Context
These enchanting *Pair of elephant-head vases (vases à tête d'phant)*, crafted around 1758 by the renowned Sèvres Manuf in collaboration with modeler Jean-Claude Dupless, exemplify the pinnacle of French rococo porcelain artistry. Standing about 13½ inches tall, this matching pair features whimsical elephant heads forming the vase bodies, capturing the era's delight in playful, exotic motifs. Produced at the royal manufactory near Versailles, they reflect the opulent tastes of Louis XV's court, where Sèvres porcelain symbolized luxury and technical mastery. Made from soft-paste porcelain—a re...
About the Artist
Sèvres Manufactory|Jean-Claude Duplessis · 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...