Pair of Glass Coolers (Seaux à Verre Echancrés), from a Service Acquired by Madame la Comtesse du Barry
Medium
ceramics
Classification
ceramics
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
The John Jay Ide Collection
Accession Number
1977-52-28-a,b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of 18th-century French aristocracy with this exquisite *Pair of Glass CoolersSeaux à Verrechancrés)*, crafted by the renowned Sèvres Porcelainufactory in 1771. Established in 1756 under royal patronage, Sè was Europe's premier producer of luxury porcelain, favored by Louis XV and his court. These elegant coolers—likely ornate buckets designed to chill wine glasses—formed part of a grand dinner service acquired by Madame la Comtesse du Barry, the lavish mistress whose taste for splendor defined Versailles' gilded age. Made of fine ceramics, these pieces exemplify Sè...