Exclusive Collection Flourishing France centre vase

France experienced a period of great cultural and artistic prosperity under the reign of Louis Quinze (1710-1774), with significant developments in art, architecture, literature and philosophy. As a gift from Meissen to the monarch, our magnificent vase symbolises not only the prosperity and power of the French kingdom, but also the close ties there were between the European ruling dynasties and Europe's art manufactories. As one of the leading porcelain artists of his time, the great Johann Joachim Kaendler made a significant contribution to the development and perfecting of European porcelain art.

In the middle of his magnificent, hand-decorated vase sits a portrait of Louis Quinze ensconced within a laurel wreath. Below it, a winged putto holds the French royal crown above the rocaille-framed arms of the kings of France and Navarre. On the vase's left shoulder sits Flora, goddess of spring, scattering flowers from a basket as a symbol of the French kingdom's prosperity. On its right, Fama, the Roman goddess of glory, proclaims the king's immortal standing with a trumpet fanfare. The reverse is decorated with a view of the Palace of Versailles from the 18th century.

In the select circle of our exclusive works of art, this vase is not only a masterpiece of craftsmanship, but also an important historical artefact that, at one and the same time, documents France's finest cultural flowering and the outstanding skills of the Meissen porcelain manufactory.