Plate 1834

This plate was made at the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres, a French porcelain factory with a fascinating institutional history. Sèvres began as a royal project under Louis XV, intended to surpass the porcelain production of rival European powers. By the time this plate was made, it was already a symbol of French national pride. The portrait at its center is framed by a laurel wreath, a classical symbol of status. It’s surrounded by gilded patterns on a blue ground, all carefully chosen to reflect the taste and status of its owner. What can a plate tell us about social history? Quite a lot! The plate evokes the world of courtly ritual, where dining was a performance of power and taste. By researching the archives of Sèvres, we can find out who commissioned it, where it was used, and how it was valued. These details help us understand the political and economic structures that shaped artistic production.