A PAIR OF SEVRES WINE COOLERS THE PORCELAIN 18TH CENTURY, THE DECORATION LATER

(seaux à demi-bouteille) each painted on the front and reverse with a monogram formed by a gilt foliate D entwined with a floral garland B beneath a gilt-edged blue-ground border and gilt-edged and garlanded panels of putti flanked by baskets of flowers, affixed on either side with a shell-and-scroll handle, interlaced L's and date letter S in blue enamel.

The Collection of the 6th Earl of Rosebery, sold, Sotheby's at Mentmore, Buckinghamshire, May 24, 1977, lot 2075
Winifred Williams Antiques, London
The Collection of Robert S. Pirie, sold, Christie's, New York, May 5 1999, lot 56

London, Winifred Williams Antiques, Eighteenth Century French Porcelain, July 3- 20, 1978. p. 17, no. 52 (illustrated)

Some minor wear to the gilding; otherwise 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.

At the same time a monogrammed service was being produced decorated with panels of putti and baskets, intended as a diplomatic gift from Louis XV, King of France, to Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples and Sicily, it appears that Sèvres commenced production on a similarly decorated monogrammed service for the comtesse du Barry in addition to an earlier monogrammed service that was delivered to her in 1771.  Both 1773 services are fully discussed by David Peters, Sèvres Plates and Services of the 18th Century, Volume II, pp. 495-98, where the author notes on p. 497 that production on the du Barry service was never completed and "unfinished items consigned to storage." The author further discusses the completion or later decoration of pieces from this unfinished service and their disposition, dividing them into three categories: those with "factory enamel and gilding", those "entirely or partly with factory enamel decoration, but C19th gilding", and those with "entirely C19th enamel decoration and gilding."