Sample Plate 1790

This Sample Plate was made by the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres, using hard-paste porcelain, a technically challenging material prized for its delicacy and translucence. Porcelain production, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, was a complex endeavor, involving meticulous labor at every stage, from the compounding of the clay to the painting of the decoration. This plate would have been fired at a high temperature, followed by layers of enamel and gilding, each requiring further firing. The plate’s decoration features delicate roses, painted with incredible precision. This high level of detail demanded not only artistic skill, but also specialized knowledge of the chemical reactions that occurred in the kiln, and a degree of control that only comes with years of experience. Consider that each stage—the preparation of the porcelain, the forming of the plate, the painting, and the firing—was a specialized task, often performed by different individuals. This division of labor is typical of factory production, but here elevated to a very refined level. Ultimately, this plate reveals the social context of its production.