A Sèvres Porcelain Cup and Saucer (Gobelet 'Hébert' et soucoupe), circa 1760

A Private Collection, United states until 2013;

Adrian Sassoon, London;

From the distinguished collection of the late Dr. Johannes Lafrenz, Munich, Germany, 2016;

Adrian Sassoon, London;

From whom acquired by the present collector on 4 July, 2022.

Ros Savill most recently discussed this type of decoration in Brittle Beauty: Reflections on 18th-Century European Porcelain, 2023, p. 413, cat. no. 68, noting that it was especially favoured by Madame de Pompadour. In 1758, Pompadour acquired some of the earliest known examples as part of a small dessert service for her apartment at Versailles. Following her purchase of the Château de Saint-Ouen in 1759, she ordered a set comprising six cups and saucers, a sugar bowl, a milk jug and a teapot, recorded in her inventory as 'à palmes et fleurs', together with a green-varnished tray.

A green-ground cabaret with this decoration, comprising a tray, plateau Duplessis, cream jug, sugar bowl, teapot, chocolate pot, two cups and saucers, gobelet Hébert, was formerly in the celebrated collection of J. P. Morgan (1837-1913). Following his death, it was sold as part of his estate at Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., New York, 6-8 January 1944, lot 480. The cabaret subsequently entered the collection of Mrs. John W. Christner of Dallas, Texas, and was sold at Christie's, New York, 9 June 1979, lot 250 (by which time one cup and saucer were lacking). The lost cup and saucer appeared separately at Parke-Bernet, 8 March, 1979, lot 224. Some of the pieces were dated 1761 and bore painter's marks for Vincent Taillandier and Jean-Baptiste Tandart. A related gobelet Calabre and saucer painted by Taillandier is illustrated in Winifred Williams, An Exhibition of 18th Century French Porcelain: Vincennes, Sèvres, St. Cloud, Chantilly & Mennecy, exhibition catalogue, 1978, no. 32.