Saucer (Soucoupe)
Medium
Soft-paste porcelain with enamel and gilt decoration
Dimensions
4.7 × 19.4 cm
Classification
Ceramic
Department
Decorative Art and Design
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Bequest of Mrs. Severance A. Millikin
Accession Number
1989.188
Tags
gender unknownmale
About this artwork
The rich turquoise ground of this plate was known as bleu céleste (celestial blue) and introduced at the Vincennes factory in 1753. The deep color was achieved by repeated applications of the powdered pigment and multiple firings, which made it difficult for factories to achieve a smooth, even-toned color. Objects decorated with this color through this complicated process were among the most expensive items produced.