A Sèvres porcelain square tray (plateau carré à jour), circa 1760

The Pompey Collection, sold, Christie’s New York, 23 May 2002, lot 51.

The form of this tray, which was made in three sizes, has been identified as plateau carré à jour in the Sèvres records, the à jour denoting the pierced border. It was in production with plain sides by 1753, and with pierced sides in 1757. For further discussion of the form, usually intended as part of a déjeuner set, see R. Savill, The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Sèvres Porcelain, London, 1988, vol. II, p. 585-588, where the author mentions that the pierced harebell and scroll design is considered one of the earliest neo-classical designs employed at the factory. Vincent Taillandier, who used the fleur-de-lis mark, was active at the factory from 1753 to 1790, specialising in flowers and patterns, usually on tea and service wares and occasionally on plaques and vases.

Cranfield University used non-invasive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for this lot to screen the green enamel for chromium, which was not detected, a result consistent with 18th century manufacture.