Royal Sèvres Porcelain Teapot, Louis XVI Period, Théière Calabre, Circa 1788

An exceptional hard-paste porcelain teapot produced by the Royal Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory, France, circa 1788, during the reign of King Louis XVI. Executed in the celebrated Théière Calabre form, it displays the elegant proportions and refined modelling that established Sèvres as the leading European porcelain manufactory of the late 18th century.

The white porcelain body is decorated with intertwined pink and green laurel ribbons highlighted with delicate gilt pointillé and ornamental vignettes. A distinctive feature is the miniature spray of oak leaves with a golden acorn, painted on each side of the body—a rare decorative device employed by Sèvres painters to harmonise the composition.

The underside bears the authentic underglaze-blue interlaced royal L's together with the date letters "LL", identifying the year of manufacture as 1788. The factory mark also shows the documented "ghost" impression occasionally encountered on authentic Sèvres porcelain, produced during the original firing process. The original decorator's cursive mark remains beneath the factory cipher, although centuries of wear no longer permit a reliable identification of the individual artist.

Royal Sèvres teapots from the Louis XVI period are among the rarest survivors of 18th-century European porcelain. Their rarity, historical importance and enduring demand have made them highly desirable pieces for serious collectors of French decorative arts.

Dimensions:

• Height 13 cm

• length 18.5 cm

• width 11 cm

• weight 382 g

Condition:

Excellent antique condition. Very fine hairline crack to the spout, tiny nibble to its tip, minute chip to the flower finial and a tiny chip to the cover rim. Minor rubbing to the gilding on the lower rim, handle and finial. Two original firing cracks are present at the lower handle attachment. Under ultraviolet examination, the crack does not fluoresce, indicating that it is confined to the enamel layer and has not penetrated the porcelain body. Bright enamels and exceptionally well-preserved gilding suggest that the teapot has seen little, if any, practical use.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note tha