Shell-shaped Tray In Vienna Porcelain, Plastic Period 1749–1782, 18th Century

Shell-shaped tray in Vienna porcelain, plastic period 1749–1782, 18th century

Imperial Porcelain Manufactory of Vienna

Second half of the 18th century

Plastic period, 1749–1782

Oval porcelain tray
Dimensions: 18.7 × 25.5 cm

Marks and signs on the reverse

Viennese shield mark in cobalt blue under the glaze, in the two-bar form, in use from 1749 onward.

Letter “F” impressed in the body, interpretable as a form mark (Formzeichen).

Additional letter incised in the body (Arbeitszeichen) and a small red painted circle, control mark.

Absence of impressed letters or signs indicating the year of production.

Tray modelled with an asymmetrical shell-shaped form, characteristic of the Rococo vocabulary. The base is conceived as a sculptural bas-relief, animated by pronounced ribs and organic forms recalling the natural structure of a shell.

The decoration is hand-painted in polychromy using the petit feu technique. At the centre, a floral bouquet composed of a violaceous rose, cornflowers and small wild flowers in yellow and red tones; scattered flowers are arranged along the cavetto in a free disposition.

The piece belongs to the plastic period of the Viennese manufactory, between 1749 and 1782, prior to the systematic introduction of date letters characteristic of the Sorgenthal phase.

Provenance

Florence. During the period in question, Tuscany was governed by the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty and maintained close ties with the Viennese court, making the circulation of Viennese porcelain in Tuscany already plausible in the 18th century.

Good condition, with normal traces of use consistent with age.