A Sèvres 'Médici' vase circa 1830-34

4^e grandeur, painted on one side with various attributes representing History, titled Histoire; and on the other with devices for Poetry, inscribed La Poesie; within gilt wreaths of leaves or flowerheads, above a gilt band of leafy branches on the lower body, on a faux-porphyry square base, partially erased factory mark, incised painter's mark A.D. for Ducluzeau, inscribed A. 30 in red.

There is a 1/2-inch area at the upper rim edge that has abrasion to the body and gilding. There are two very small flat chips to the underside of the rim, which are not very apparent from the exterior. There is some minor wear to the gilding and some chipping to the stem of the vase where the vase meets the base, possibly caused by tightening of the screws. There is an approximate 1/4-inch flat chip to the edge of the base and several minuscule further rim chips to the edge of base.
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 pair of Sévres lavender-ground vases, similarly decorated with attributes on a faux-marble base (one inscribed La Vitesse and La Chasse moderne, and the other L'Agriculture ancienne and L'Equitation), and possibly belonging to the same service is illustrated by Brigitte Ducrot in Porcelaines et Terres de Sévres, pp. 126-127, cat. no. 74. According to Ducrot, these vases were first entered in the Manufactory's sale inventory on February 11, 1831 and were recorded as delivered to the Palace of Compiègne on December 6, 1847, and thereafter in various locations in the family apartments until 1948, when the inventory was discontinued. Three white-ground vases, 5^e grandeur, on faux-porphyry bases and similarly painted with attributes of various subjects are illustrated ibid., pp. 128-129, cat. nos 75 and 76, where they are noted as being delivered to the Palace of Compiègne on the same date as the previous examples and from thereon recorded in inventories of various private apartments of the Emperor.