A SÈVRES PÂTE-SUR-PÂTE PORCELAIN TAPERING TALL VASE, 1907

The present vase was, by repute, given as a prize at a polo tournament which took place in Belgium in 1908 or 1909. The winners celebrated at their hotel and having toasted their victory with great gusto the captain was left to settle the bill. Unable to cover the cost he left the prize to the owners of the hotel as a guarantee to send funds. Unfortunately, the bill was never paid, and the hoteliers retained the vase, even after the hotel was closed after the Second War. Whilst this story is difficult to corroborate, the vase itself is dated to 1907, carries an unusual subject for the factory and stylistically the ornament, reminiscent of a Grecian frieze is typical of sporting medals and prizes of the period. It is also interesting to note that Sèvres pâte-sur-pâte vases were given to medal winners of the 1924 Paris Olympics.

The pâte-sur-pâte technique was perfected at Sèvres in the 19th century before being exported notably to England through Marc-Louis Solon.  An artist would build up layers of liquid clay applied with a brush with the details carved and incised to give the work the quality of Roman cameo. Lucien-Jules-Clément d'Eaubonne was a painter at Sèvres 1902-1914 and was particularly noted for his work in this medium, see Bumous, B., Pâte-sur-Pâte, The Art of Ceramic Relief Decoration, 1849-1992, London, 1992, pp. 46 and 220.