The Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, established in 1756, had fallen on hard times by the late 19th century, with critics accusing the factory of a lack of creativity and imagination. Change was finally effected near the turn of the 20th century and came via several sources. The first was the initiation of Japoniste decoration; an explosion of interest in Japanese art occurred in the latter half of the 19th century as a result of artists and craftsmen being exposed to Eastern wares at European expositions. Several artists employed at Sèvres, including Marc-Louis-Emmanuel Solon and Henri Lambert, formed a secret Japanese society at the manufactory and began to incorporate Japanese motifs and styles into their work.
The second proponent of change was a presidential decree in 1891 stipulating that Sèvres must not only search for new forms and decorations, but also to develop stoneware. The decree spurred Sèvres to extensively experiment with clays and glazes, successfully creating not just a new, versatile low-fired porcelain body, but a range of sumptuous crystalline glazes.
The final creative spark that led to Sèvres’ triumphant charge into the 20th century was Alexandre Sandier’s appointment as creative director in 1897, a post he would occupy until 1916. Sandier embraced and fully introduced the Art Nouveau style and was primarily responsible for the company’s success at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle, which re-launched the firm and garnered them newfound fame and respect.
Their spectacular Exposition pavilion façade, a monumental work that employed their grès stoneware to great effect, is permanently installed in Square Félix-Desruelles, Paris. The firm’s output from the late 19th century and throughout the first decades of the 20th was refined and diverse, full of splendid, intricately decorated wares, sinuous, naturalistic vegetal forms, and simple vessels with spectacular crystalline glazes.
Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
The Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and artistic innovation, and has played a significant role in the history of decorative arts, setting standards for porcelain production and design that are still revered today. The origins of the Sèvres manufactory can be traced to 1740, when it was established as a soft-paste porcelain workshop in Vincennes under the patronage of King Louis XV and his mistress, Madame de Pompadour. In 1756, the factory moved to Sèvres, near Versailles, where it gained the name by which it is known today. Madame de Pompadour, a great patron of the arts, was instrumental in promoting the factory and securing royal commissions, which significantly boosted its prestige and financial stability.
From its inception, the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres was committed to producing porcelain of the highest quality. It quickly became known for its innovation in both form and decoration. The factory developed new techniques for creating soft-paste porcelain, which was highly prized for its delicate texture and luminous quality. Sèvres artisans also pioneered new glazing techniques and introduced a wide range of colors, including the famous "Sèvres blue."
Royal patronage played a crucial role in the factory's success. Louis XV and subsequent French monarchs commissioned numerous pieces for royal residences and gifts for foreign dignitaries, establishing Sèvres as a symbol of French cultural and artistic excellence. The factory's works were also prominently displayed at major exhibitions, further cementing its reputation. The French Revolution brought significant challenges to the Sèvres manufactory, as it did to many institutions associated with the ancien régime. However, the factory managed to survive, thanks in part to its transformation prior to the revolution into a state-owned enterprise in 1759. Under Napoleon Bonaparte, the manufactory received new commissions and continued to produce exceptional works, including intricate table services and decorative pieces that reflected the neoclassical style popular at the time.
Throughout the 19th century, the Sèvres manufactory continued to evolve, embracing new artistic movements and expanding its technical capabilities. The factory became known for its collaborations with leading artists and designers, producing pieces that ranged from traditional to avant-garde. By the late 19th century, however, critics accused the manufactory of a lack of creativity and imagination. Change was effected around the turn of the 20th century via new leadership, the development of stoneware and new glazes, and their use of Japonesque motifs and styles. Sèvres manufactory triumphantly charged into the 20th century, fully embracing the Art Nouveau movement and garnering newfound fame and respect across the globe.
In the 20th century, the manufactory maintained its reputation for excellence, continuing to produce both traditional and contemporary works. It collaborated with prominent artists such as Salvador Dalí, Jean Arp, and Louise Bourgeois, furthering its legacy of artistic innovation. Today, the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres remains a vital institution, preserving centuries-old traditions while embracing contemporary artistic practices. It continues to produce high-quality porcelain that is sought after by collectors and connoisseurs worldwide and maintains its place as one of the premier porcelain manufacturers in the world, in addition to being an enduring symbol of French cultural heritage.
Auction Results Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Auction Results Maurice Gensoli for Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
