Description
Rare Charger by Tournai Imitating Sevres
From our Ceramics collection, we are delighted to offer this rare Belgium Tournai Porcelain Charger imitating Sevres. The Tournai Charger beautifully painted to the face with an intricate gilt border of intricate scrollwork upon a cobalt blue ground. The central scene is expertly painted displaying La Toilette d’Esther S’aprés de troy translated directly to Esther’s Toilet After Troy. The scene depicts Esther being prepared to appear before Ahasuerus. The semi-draped woman features to the centre being bathed and adored with precious jewellery as her maids prepare her for a visit in front of Ahasuerus. The scene is signed by the artist to the lower left reading Wattieaux. The rear of the plate is signed with the traditional Sevres interlaced L’s and the text La Toilette d’Esther S’aprés de troy again stating the scene is painted after the old masters painting by troy. The second mark is for the original manufactures with Cross Swords and X’s indicating the charger was actually manufactured by Belgian company Tournai. The Belgium Tournai Porcelain charger dates to the late 18th century early 19th century and is painted after the original in 1736.
Esther (Hadassah) is the main heroine in the Book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible. According to the narrative set in the Achaemenid Empire (550 BC-325 BC) the Persian king Ahasuerus fell in love with Esther and married her. Ahasuerus grand vizier Haman is offended by Esther’s cousin and guardian Mordecai because of his refusal to bow before him. Bowing was an offer of respect in Persian society however, bowing was deemed unacceptable by Mordecai who believes that a Jew should only express submissiveness to God. Consequently, Haman grew angry over the lack of respect and plotted to have all of Persia’s Jews killed. Haman eventually convinced Ahasuerus to permit him to do so however, Esther foiled the plan by revealing and decrying Haman’s plans to Ahasuerus. Ahasuerus then put Haman to execution and grants permission to the Jews to take up arms against their enemies. Following this, Esther is hailed for her courage and for working to save the Jewish nation from eradication.
Jean François de Troy (1679-1752) was a French Rococo easel and fresco painter, draughtsman and tapestry designer. He came from a family of painters with is father François de Troy (1645–1730) being a portrait painter and Jeans’ first teacher. Initially after failing to win the Prix de Rome Jean moved to Italy from 1699-1706 initially housing in Rome at the French Academy, Jean visited many northern Italy cities gaining experience. In 1708 Jean was admitted to the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture after his composition of Niobe and her Children (now located in the Musée Fabre) under the guidance of his father who was the director of that institution. Between 1724-1737 Jean undertook commissions for the Palace of Versailles and the Palace of Fontainebleau. In 1738 he left France for Rome following his appointment as Director of the French Academy in Rome. He resided the rest of his life in Rome and was elected as an honorary member of the Roman Academy of St Luke, and subsequently appointed briefly its director in 1744. Troy became a leading history painter during his career and was equally successful with his decorative paintings, genre scenes and portraits. He was the inventor of the tableaux de modes (‘paintings of fashions’), which attempted to provide a spirited portrayal of contemporary fashions, pastimes and manners. Jean had to overcome great tragedy in his personal life after the early passing of his wife at a young age and following that all of his seven children died. Jean François de Troy died on 26 January 1752 in Rome.
Tournai was a Belgian Porcelain factory established in 1750, after the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle separated Tournai from France. In 1752 Prince Charles of Lorraine accredited the factory with the title ‘Imperial and Royal.’ Between 1763-1771 Henri-Joseph Duvivier was head painter at the factory.
Sevres porcelain (Manufacture nationale de Sèvres) is one of the principal European porcelain factories, located in Sèvres, Hauts-de-Seine, France. Originally Vincennes porcelain which was founded in 1740 it moved to Sèvres in 1756 and has been owned by the French crown or government since 1759. It replaced Meissen porcelain as the standard-setter among European porcelain factories, retaining this position until at least the 19th century.
Porcelain is vitrified pottery (glass-like) with a white, fine-grained body that is usually translucent, which differs from earthenware as it is porous, opaque, and far coarser.
Measurements 38.75cm Diameter x 5.5cm High ( 15.3 x 2.1 Inches)
Condition Very Good, minor gilt wear to the edge only, no damage and no restoration.
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