Saucer (soucoupe enfoncé)

Manufactory Sèvres Manufactory French

Not on view

The socketed saucer (soucoupe enfoncé) provided stability by means of the deep well in which the cup sat. This type of cup, likely intended for milk drinks, was probably also used for hot chocolate; a 1771 French catalogue refers to this form as a chocolate cup. It is now thought that the gobelet et soucoupe enfoncé was for use by the sick. It was probably designed for Madame du Pompadour (d. 1764), the only purchaser of this specific type of cup and saucer during her lifetime. Later examples were acquired primarily by the French royal family or by members of the court.

Saucer (soucoupe enfoncé), Sèvres Manufactory (French, 1740–present), Soft-paste porcelain, French, Sèvres

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Saucer (soucoupe enfoncé), Sèvres Manufactory (French, 1740–present), Soft-paste porcelain, French, Sèvres
Saucer (soucoupe enfoncé), Sèvres Manufactory (French, 1740–present), Soft-paste porcelain, French, Sèvres

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.