A PAIR OF FRENCH LIMOGES-STYLE ENAMEL VASES

With the Renaissance revival in the mid-19th century came a renewed interest in Renaissance art forms enhanced by modern industry. Among those who took an active interest was Louis Philippe, who urged the Director of the Sèvres Manufactory, Alexandre Brogniart, to 'renew the fabrication of enamelled pieces in the manner of Limosins, incorporating improvements to be expected in light of advances in chemical sciences.' By 1840 an enamel-on-metal workshop had been established at Sèvres and in 1846 Brogniart wrote a catalogue devoted to enamels on copper (see Tamara Préaud, The Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory, Alexandre Brogniart and the Triumph of Art and Industry, 1800-1847, The Bard Center, New York, 1997, p. 61). Sèvres continued to produce enamel works until the early 20th century. Compare the present vases to a Sèvres enamel ewer entitled Les Amazones (inv. MNC7506) and a coupe entitled La Guerre (inv. MNC7507), both in the collection of the musée d'Orsay, Paris.