Sèvres style porcelain and ormolu cachepot by Picard

This beautiful cachepot features Sèvres style porcelain set with exceptional gilt bronze mounts by Henri Picard, a leading artisan working in bronze during the reign of Napoleon III, who supplied many pieces to the Emperor.

The cylindrical porcelain body of the cachepot, rising from a waisted stem, is painted in the round with a Rococo style scene of putti hunting in an idyllic landscape. The ‘bleu celeste’ ground of the porcelain is parcel gilt with chased intertwined vines and jewelled with red and white enamel on occasion.

The body is mounted with an ormolu rim, from which springs twin geometrical ormolu handles, each terminating in a cherub mask. The cachepot is supported by a square ormolu base, the surface of which is richly detailed, featuring draped and tasselled fabric, rosettes to each corner, and pinecone finials. The base stands on four square toupie feet.

The ormolu is stamped underneath ‘H. Picard’.