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Pot-Pourri in the Form of a Snail Shell
Made at: Sèvres Manufactory (France)
French
about 1763–68
Medium/Technique
Soft-paste porcelain with colored enamel and gilded decoration; gilt-bronze mounts
Dimensions
Overall (pot): 13.1 x 16.3 x 12.8 cm (5 3/16 x 6 7/16 x 5 1/16 in.)
Other (lid): 16.3 x 12.8 cm (6 7/16 x 5 1/16 in.)
Other (lid): 16.3 x 12.8 cm (6 7/16 x 5 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Forsyth Wickes—The Forsyth Wickes Collection
Accession Number65.1859a-b
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
DescriptionEach pot-pourri rests on three conical shell feet and has a circular lid with a finial in the form of a shell surrounded by three smaller shells. A gilt bronze openwork collar attached to the rim of the shell supports the lid, which has a gilt-bronze rim with a small beaded flange. The shell is decorated with a turquoise (blue celeste) ground. The yellow feet are painted with concentric circles in black enamel and small flecks of brown and black enamel. The shells comprising the finial are painted variously in purple, yellow, blue, and black enamel.
InscriptionsNone
ProvenanceJas. A. Lewis & Son, New York; December 21, 1949, Jas. A. Lewis & Son sold to Forsyth Wickes (b.1876-d.1964), New York and Newport, RI; 1965, bequest of Forsyth Wickes to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 24, 1965)