- 16
A Sèvres dinner service, circa 1807
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- porcelain
each piece painted with fine flower sprays and scattered sprigs within gilt rims, comprising 58 dishes (Ø 22 cm), 2 wine coolers (H 32 cm, Ø 26 cm), 1 pierced basket (Ø 28,5 cm, H 10,5 cm), 2 sauce tureens and covers(Ø 28 cm, H 14,5 cm), 4 octagonal dishes (Ø 23,5 cm), 4 round dishes (Ø 20,5 cm), 2 bowls (Ø 21 cm, H 10 cm)
Provenance
By family tradition, Lucien Bonaparte, Prince Français, 1st Prince of Canino and Musignano (21 May 1775 – 29 June 1840);
his daughter Princess Maria Alessandrina Bonaparte (1818-1874) married Vincenzo, Conte Valentini di Laviano (1808-1858);
their daughter, Luciana Valentini (1840-1925) married Count Zeffirino Faina (1826-1917) the current owner’s great-great Grandfather;
Thence by family descent to the present owner
his daughter Princess Maria Alessandrina Bonaparte (1818-1874) married Vincenzo, Conte Valentini di Laviano (1808-1858);
their daughter, Luciana Valentini (1840-1925) married Count Zeffirino Faina (1826-1917) the current owner’s great-great Grandfather;
Thence by family descent to the present owner
Literature
Luciano Bonaparte: Le sue collezioni d'arte, le sue residenze a Roma, nel Lazio, in Italia, 1804-1840, (1995), p. 395-396
Condition
One cooler is lacking a handle, and has been affixed with a later gilt handle, now loose, there is an associated hairline crack.
one bowl has a faint hairline crack to rim and chip to foot
Of the 58 dish, 9 have a chip to the rim, two of which have an associated hairline crack
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
At 24 years old Lucien Bonaparte was appointed by his brother Napoleon as Minister of the Interior, a position he held from 25th December 1799 until 7th November 1800, before becoming ambassador to the court of Charles IV of Spain. It is Lucien that was responsible for the complete reorganization of the Sèvres porcelain factory at the turn of the 19thcentury and the appointment of the 30 year old Alexandre Brongniart in May 1800 as Director. In a letter dated 17th May 1800 Lucien writes to the current Directors of the factory, Jean-Jacques Hettlinger and Jean-Hilair Salmon l'aîné, announcing his intentions:
‘…Thus, in reorganising the manufactory I have set out not only to reduce public expenditures; I also intend to restore its former prosperity and transform it into a school of art.', Tamara Préaud, The Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory: Alexandre Brongniart and the Triumph of Art and Industry, 1800-1847, 1997, p. 43.