A rare pair of blue ground Sèvres vases (vases etrusques) circa 1795-96

each ovoid body well painted with a still life of fruit and flowers on a ledge, the reverse painted with a landscape, inside a canted square gilt frame against a deep blue ground, the waisted necks painted with flower panels between gilt loop handles (each base drilled, minor wear to gilding)

Dragesco-Cramosian, Paris.

Each base has been drilled in the centre. Otherwise in good condition with typical wear and some small nicks around the rims.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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There appear to be only two known pairs of this model in the 18th century. The other pair, painted with baskets of flowers in the reserves, representing spring and autumn, is at the Palais de Fontainebleau (Les Sèvres de Fontainebleau, p.38, cat. nr. 5). Both pairs are unmarked.

The present pair is documented in the Sèvres archives with several entries: On September 4th, 1795 2 Vases Etrusques beau blue were given to the talented flower painter Philippe Parpette, to be painted with Tableaux de fleurs très riches sur fond de tableau (18 Fructidor an III). On December 15th, 1795 2 Vase etrusques beau bleu peints par Parpette were entrusted to Edmé-François Bouilliat père to be further decorated with paysage et fleurs (23 Frimaire and IV). The vases appear again in the inventory on April 12th, 1796 mentioning that the 2 vases Etrusques fond Beau bleu, decorated with fleurs by Parpette, have been gilt by Leguay (23 Germinal an IV).

On May 10th, 1797 the vases were given by the French Directoire government as a part of a large gift to Monsieur le Prince de la Paix, Ministre de sa Majesté Catholique, Manuel Godoy Alvarez de Faria, prime minister of King Charles IV of Spain, who had in 1795 negotiated with France the Treaty of Basel.

We are very grateful to Bernard Dragesco for his research and assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.