A PAIR OF SEVRES PORCELAIN TORTOISESHELL-GROUND TWO-HANDLED VASES AND COVERS

The Sevres Archives for the period 1808-1810 reveals that very few pairs of vases were produced and even fewer with this characteristic colored 'tortoiseshell' ground. The only mention that could correspond, both in the assessment sheets (PB1), and in the register of credits to the Government from 1808-10 (Vbb2,123) corresponds to the delivery for Madame Albizzi. Here we find the mention of "2 Etruscan vases carafes 2 g tortoiseshell background gold frieze Boitel.... 90 (francs)" on October 15, 1809; and by order of the Emperor "December 31, 1810/ for Mad. Albizzi/ (...) 2 Etruscan vases with tortoiseshell background/gold decoration Pair.... 180 (francs)".