Large Porcelain Vase, “the Birth Of Venus,” France, Manufacture Nationale De Sèvres,

Large ceremonial porcelain vase in the shape of an amphora, produced at the famous Sèvres National Porcelain Manufactory. The form is inspired by Renaissance models, featuring harmoniously balanced proportions, a tall neck, and a stable circular pedestal. The body is covered with a rich turquoise-blue glaze that serves as the backdrop for refined polychrome painting and lavish gilded decoration, characteristic of Sèvres’s most prestigious 19th-century productions.

The main face is adorned with a large oval medallion depicting the mythological scene of The Birth of Venus. The goddess is depicted at the moment of her triumphant appearance, emerging from the sea inside a shell, holding a flowing red drapery in her hand, surrounded by putti and musician nymphs. The movement of the waves, the breath of the wind, and the dynamism of the figures emphasize the allegorical significance of the composition, a symbol of triumphant love, the harmony of nature, and ideal beauty. The work is part of the Renaissance and academic tradition, which was extensively reinterpreted by 19th-century French art.

The reverse is decorated with a sumptuous still life depicting a bouquet of flowers accompanied by pears and plums. These motifs, traditionally associated with abundance and fertility, establish a symbolic dialogue with the mythological subject on the front. The painting is framed by a gilded cartouche with a beaded border. The body is embellished with finely gilded botanical and classical ornamental motifs, executed with great refinement.

Markings:
Hand-painted cobalt underglaze mark of the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres, accompanied by a workshop monogram and the letter “P.” This type of marking corresponds to the internal assignment system used by the manufactory’s painting and decoration workshops during the second half of the 19th century and is characteristic of ceremonial vases with painted medallions.

Dimensions: Height: 42 cm; Width: 25 cm; Depth: 25 cm.

Condition: Good. Even glaze, with no cracks or chips. Slight signs of age and very minor wear to the gilding on the raised areas. The paint is well preserved, with no restorations.

Provenance: Private European collection.

ID-ANTQ-96