Sevres azure-blue porcelain display plate decorated with three delicately painted flower medallions; center features a hand-painted portrait of Ninnon de Lenclos, Famed courtesan and philosopher. Ninon de Lenclos' Paris salon attracted France's leading politicians and writers, among many, Moliére and Voltaire. Bottom features an over-glaze Sevres logo, signed "Ninon de Lenclos" in red pigment, and "S. 74" stamp. This plate measures approx. 9-5/8" in diameter.
The company had been founded in 1738 at Chateau de Vincennes, by workmen from the ceramics factory at Chantilly. Initially, its production focused on Saxon-style porcelain, painted and gilded figures, and ornamental stemmed flowers. Sevres moved to its present location in 1768, and was renamed for that city. It continued to prosper, becoming celebrated for its exquisite glazes and rich background colors, including "blue de roi," turquoise, yellow, peagreen and "rose Pompadour," named for the notorious royal mistress. Decoration was floral and figural, often in white-background panels outlined in gold, with lavish applications of gilding on edges, handles and bases.
100/200 Sold $316.25
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