"Since 1889, when this book appeared in the original French edition, many publications have added to our knowledge and appreciation of the soft-paste porcelains made at the Vincennes and Sevres factories from the late 1740s to the end of the 18th century. Few other works can rival the range of high-quality illustrations of all aspects of the factory's production, but for the virtual exclusion of the biscuit or unglazed figures and groups. These have never been as popular with collectors as the magnificent vases and tables services, which receive a fitting tribute in this publication. The brief survey of the beginnings of porcelain manufacture in Europe and the succinct introductions to the history of the Vincennes and Sevres factories written by Edouard Garnier, curator at the Sèvres Museum between 1874-1879, and 1892-1903, should be supplemented by more detailed modern scholarship, but these short essays remain remarkably informative, perhaps because of the writer's caution allied to an enviable clarity of expression. Garnier's incomplete discussion of the colours used can be extended by Svend Eriksen's introduction to his catalogue of the Sèvres porcelain at Waddesdon Manor, and by his more recent Sèvres Porcelain, written with Geoffrey de Bellaigue, which includes an up-to-date guide to painters' and gilders' marks. [...] Research by European and American scholars has brought to light a great deal of information concerning technology, work practices, the financing of Vincennes/ Sèvres, and its clientele. Incomparably more is known than one hundred years ago, but the sheer aesthetic pleasure afforded by these porcelains remains the overriding reason why they continue to fascinate the collector and enthusiast, who will rejoice at the reappearance of this classic volume."-- Aileen Dawson, preface.
"The soft porcelain of Sèvres is famous throughout the world. This classic book covers the soft Sèvres porcelain produced in the fifty years before 1800. The Sèvres factory was originally established on 24th July, 1745 in the old riding school at Vincennes under the management of Orry de Fulvy and reconstituted 8 years later in 1753 with the title Manufacture de la porcelaine de France. It moved from Vincennes to Sèvres in 1756 and from then until 1789 it was without rival. In 1800 when Brongniart succeeded as director, the use of the soft porcelain paste disappeared and its place was taken by kaolin or hard porcelain. Edouard Garnier's monograph deals with the developments of the soft porcelain manufacture during this time when the famous 'bleu' of Sèvres, the 'rose du Barry' pink and the 'bleu turquoise' those ravishing colours were all discovered by Hellot. In his introduction Garnier also covers the marks used in the period and deals with the imitations and counterfeits that can be found. The plates feature 250 water-colour engravings of the most famous original pieces produced by the pottery. They show, even in reproduction, the beauty of form and colouring of this the finest porcelain of its time and the book stands as a monument for all collectors."-- On front flap of dust jacket.
In English; 1892 John C. Nimmo edition translated from the original French.