Sevres, Ewer and Basin (Primary Title)
The modest-seeming ewer and basin set illustrates the basis of sound and purposeful design underlying less functional-appearing objects—such as Sèvres’s signature vases—and demonstrates the factory’s high level of quality control and carefully studied design. The ewer, referred to as a pot à l’eau, and the accompanying basin, a jatte ovale, were both used during the toilette—a hand-washing ritual— one of the most important, ceremonial, and lengthy components of the daily routine of French aristocrats.
John F. Alexander Fund and gift of the estate of Ailsa Mellon Bruce, by exchange
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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