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Vase (vase cuir) (one of a pair)

Manufactory Sèvres Manufactory French
Figural decoration based on sculptures by Etienne-Maurice Falconet French
ca. 1765–70
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 529
The curious form of these vases was inspired by pilgrim flasks made of leather-encase gourds intended for carrying water. The modeling realistically creates the impression of cut leather panels laced together, enclosing an inner container. The painted decoration makes no reference, however, to the function of the pilgrim flasks; the figures of Cupid and Psyche are based on popular sculptures by Etienne-Maurice Falconet (1716–1791).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Vase (vase cuir) (one of a pair)
  • Manufactory: Sèvres Manufactory (French, 1740–present)
  • Artist: Figural decoration based on sculptures by Etienne-Maurice Falconet (French, Paris 1716–1791 Paris)
  • Date: ca. 1765–70
  • Culture: French, Sèvres
  • Medium: Soft-paste porcelain, gilt bronze
  • Dimensions: vase only: 16 3/8 × 8 3/4 in. (41.6 × 22.2 cm)
    vase on gilt bronze base: 18 7/8 in. (47.9 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics-Porcelain
  • Credit Line: The Jules Bache Collection, 1949
  • Object Number: 49.7.78a–c
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

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Seated girl, Etienne-Maurice Falconet French, Gilt bronze, dark wood, French
Seated girl
Etienne-Maurice Falconet
ca. 1788
Psyche ("La Nymphe Falconet"), Sèvres Manufactory French, Figure: soft-paste biscuit porcelain; base: glazed porcelain, enameled and gilt, French, Sèvres
Psyche ("La Nymphe Falconet")
Sèvres Manufactory
Etienne-Maurice Falconet
1766–73
Nymph (Spring) (one of a pair), Marble, French
Nymph (Spring) (one of a pair)
French
ca. 1770–80
Cupid ("L'Amour Falconet"), Sèvres Manufactory French, Figure: soft-paste biscuit porcelain; base: glazed porcelain, enameled and gilt, French, Sèvres
Cupid ("L'Amour Falconet")
Sèvres Manufactory
Etienne-Maurice Falconet
ca. 1758–66
Bather, Etienne-Maurice Falconet French, Marble, French, Paris
Bather
Etienne-Maurice Falconet
ca. 1770–80

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