Vase (Vase étrusque à rouleau)
1813
Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory (1756–present) Model designed by Charles Percier (born France, 1764–1838) Decoration designed by Alexandre-Theodore Brogniart (born France, 1739–1813) Flowers and ornament painted by Gilbert Drouet (active France, 1785–1825) Birds painted by Christophe-Ferdinand Caron (active France, 1792–1815) Sèvres, France
Sèvres
The design for this monumental vase was begun around 1810 during the reign of Napoleon I, but it was not completed and released from the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory until 1814, after the emperor’s defeat and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy. Recognizing the diplomatic potential of such a magnificent vase, King Louis XVIII presented it to the British foreign secretary, Viscount Castlereagh, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry. The gift was likely a strategic attempt by the French to gain British favor, as Castlereagh played a key role in rebalancing power in Europe during the Congress of Vienna following Napoleon’s defeat.
Enameled and gilded hard-paste porcelain and gilded bronze