Pomade pot

pot à pommade à ornements

Made at: Sèvres Manufactory (France)
Decorated by: Louis-Jean Thévenet, Père, aîné (French, active at Sèvres 1741 to 1745–1777)

French

1764

Object Place: Europe, Sevres, France

Medium/Technique Soft-paste porcelain decorated in polychrome enamels and gold

Dimensions Overall: 10.7 x 8.4 cm (4 3/16 x 3 5/16 in.)

Credit Line Bequest of Forsyth Wickes—The Forsyth Wickes Collection

Accession Number65.1862a-b

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsEurope

ClassificationsCeramics – Porcelain

DescriptionOne of a pair with 65.1861a-b. The cylindrical body is molded to suggest an outer casing containing a slightly taller inner sleeve; the rim of the former is suggested by a molded scalloped edge, and three large molded acanthus leaves linked by scrolls decorate the lower half. The pot swells near the base and then tapers to rest on three shallow feet composed of molded scrolls and acanthus leaves. The feet have been articulated by cutting away sections of the footring before firing. The slightly domed cover has molded scalloped decoration and is surmounted by a flower finial with stem and leaves. The rim of the pot is painted with a rust red ground and sable, dentil, and stylized leaf gilding. Below the rim is a frieze composed of gilt fronds, leaf and berry garlands, and alternating blue and puce flower heads with gilt detailing. The molded acanthus leafs are picked out in blue, and the molded decoration at the base is painted in red and gold. The cover is similarly painted.

Marks Both pieces: interlaced Ls enclosing date letter L, painter's mark of a line with a dot at one end for Louis-Jean Thevenet pere, aine (active at Sevres 1741/5-1777) to one side, all in blue enamel; incised cs.

ProvenanceForsyth Wickes (b.1876-d.1964), New York and Newport, RI; 1965, bequest of Forsyth Wickes to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 24, 1965)