A PAIR OF SÈVRES BLEU CÉLESTE-GROUND WINE COOLERS THE PORCELAIN 18TH CENTURY; THE DECORATION LATER

(seaux à bouteilles), decorated as an addition to the service originally made for Louis-René-Edouard, Prince de Rohan, each reserved on either side with a colorful bird panel within a tooled gilt oak leaf and acorn border, the gilt foliate monogram LPR in script beneath each handle.

The Collection of Jessie Woolworth Donahue, sold, Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, April 28, 1972, lot 135
The Antique Company of New York, Inc., New York

There is a long firing crack around the foot of one of the coolers where it meets the body. It is probable that the foot came away from the body during the firing and was rejoined, the repair looking as though it was made at the factory. Otherwise, both are in generally 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.

The service made for Louis-René-Edouard, Prince de Rohan (1734-1803) is amongst the best known of the famous services produced by the Sèvres factory in the late 18th century.
In addition to listing its components, David Peters provides a thorough discussion of the service, its history and eventual dispersal, Sèvres Plates and Services of the 18th Century, Vol. II, pp. 469-71. He notes that a large portion of the service was acquired by Prince Anatole Demidoff, Palazzo San Donato, Florence, "from whose collection 172 items were sold by Pillet-Manneim, Paris, 23.3.1870, lots 118-153" and that the purchaser of the service is reported as the Earl of Dudley, Himly Hall, Dudley, Staffordshire. Subsequent to this, "the same and/or other part(s)" of the service were acquired by "members of the Rothschild family in England."
At some point during this period pieces were made as additions to the original Sèvres service and/or replacements, using 18th century Sèvres porcelain blanks decorated in England. Although identification of such pieces is at times the subject of some disagreement amongst the experts, the primary determinants upon which all seem to agree are the quality and palette of the bird painting and the quality of the gilding when compared to examples known to be from the original service.
Sotheby's wishes to thank David Peters and Bernard Dragesco for their advice and assistance in the cataloguing of this lot.