A set of Eighteen Sèvres plates from the Bertin service 1763

assiettes à palmes, fourteen painted with large central mixed flower and fruit sprays, four with floral sprays only, the borders decorated with a green ground reserved with three flower panels edged with gilded palms and flower garlands,

All plates with some fine scratches to the glaze visible on close examination in raking light. 1 plate by Méreaud: a little very minor rubbing to the outer rim 2 plates by Joffroy: both with some minor wear and rubbing to gilded rims 3 plates by Noël; one (grapes and peach) with a restored chip to rim with discoloured area of overpainting approximately 5 cm wide, one (rose, grapes and seed heads?) with a little minor rubbing to the gilded rim and a fine scratch to the enamels in the centre, and one (peach, flowers) with some rubbing and losses to the gilded rims 5 plates by Noualhier: one (plums, peaches and grapes) with wear to one gilded spray on the inner rim of the cavetto, one (flowers only) with losses to the gilding on one palm frond in the border and a little further rubbing, three with very minor rubbing to the gilded rims 2 plates by Cornailles: both with a little minor rubbing to gilded rims 5 plates without painter's marks: two (both flowers only) with some rubbing to the gilded rims, another (large peach) with minor rubbing to the gilded 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

These plates were originally part of a combined dinner and dessert service delivered to Henri-Léonard-Jean-Baptiste Bertin.  In 1763 Bertin was an important minister of Louis XV, holding the posts of secrétaire d'Etat and côntroleur-général des Finances.  He was later to become directly responsible for the Sèvres factory as from 1767-78 he was its administrateur et commisaire du Roi.  For a detailed analysis of the service and its components, see David Peters, Sèvres Plates and Services of the 18th Century, Vol II, pp. 349-351. 

Two groups each of 6 plates from this service were sold in these rooms 2nd April, 2003, lots 81 and 82. 6 further plates, a tureen and cover and a stand from the service were also sold in these rooms, 12th June 2001, lots 207, 205 and 208.