A PAIR OF SÈVRES porcelain WINE COOLERS 1788

(seaux à bouteille), each painted with a gilt-edged band of colorful flower sprigs beneath a gilt foliate bleu Fallot-ground border repeated around the lower body, and affixed on either side with a gilt-heightened shell-and-scroll handle, interlaced L's, date letters LL for 1788 and five-dot painter's mark for Jacques Fontaine in blue enamel, letter L gilder's mark for Louis-François Lécot in gilding and incised numeral 38, one with additional incised numeral 27.

Sold, Christie's, London, March 26, 1984, lot 167

One has a very minor ½-in., non-disfiguring scratch beneath the stem end of the pink flower sprig on one side and the other has two similar short horizontal scratches above the lower blue border on one side, neither affecting the painting or gilding. Otherwise both are in very good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A similar but slightly larger pair of wine coolers was sold in these rooms, May 22, 1997, lot 1.