A maker of exemplary European ceramics for hundreds of years, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres has produced porcelain of the highest quality since 1740.
The factory enjoyed royal patronage from its earliest days, and its most prominent patrons in the late 1700s — King Louis XV of France and his mistress, Madame de Pompadour — commissioned some of the period’s most elegant and striking pieces (only the truly wealthy could afford porcelain at this time). The company was originally established in Vincennes but was moved at the request of Madame de Pompadour, in 1756, to Sèvres, near Versailles, so that its operations would be closer to her château.
Sèvres became a mighty and much-revered factory working under a special grant from King Louis XV — the company’s owner as of 1759 and whose abundance of orders for special state gifts put financial strain on the company. Madame de Pompadour is said to have commissioned Sèvres to create an entire indoor garden of porcelain botanicals, for example.
While Sèvres gained a sterling reputation for its soft-paste porcelain wares, the company was late in entering into the production of hard-paste porcelain.
Hard-paste porcelain is the most common type of Chinese porcelain, then a widely exported and profitable product that was not made in Europe until the 18th century. The resources at Sèvres were largely relegated to meeting the demands of Louis XV, and secondly, it did not acquire the secret formula for hard-paste porcelain until 1761.
Until it obtained the coveted secrets behind hard-paste porcelain from a chemist named Pierre-Antoine Hannong — and, years later, gained access to the elusive raw materials to make hard-paste porcelain — Sèvres produced soft-paste porcelain for decades that was widely celebrated but is comparatively a far weaker type as opposed to the hard-paste productions of the company’s rival, Meissen, in Saxony, the first to produce true porcelain outside of Asia.
The artisans at Sèvres applied the rarest and most difficult-to-produce colors to their decorative objects and dinner services. One such color, the bright bleu de roi, became the manufacturer’s signature shade and is found on many of their objects. Sèvres also experimented with rarely glazed or unglazed works that bore no decoration at all — bisque porcelain, French for “biscuit,” refers to unadorned white porcelain sculptures made at Sèvres that resemble white marble after being kiln-fired.
Sèvres marks were applied over the glaze or rendered with cuts by a sharp tool — authentic Sèvres porcelain is most commonly marked with two interlaced Ls that are painted in blue and enclose a third letter. Painters and potters were tasked with affixing marks to record their role in the creation of a particular piece, and as a lot of these artisans’ names are recorded in archival factory materials — and there is also much to be learned at the Sèvres museum — it’s likely that you can accurately identify your Sèvres piece.
Find antique and vintage Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres vases, urns, sculptures and more on 1stDibs.
Antique Sévres Bleu Celeste Porcelain Jewelry Casket with Gold Ormolu Details
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Toronto, ON
A breathtaking example of French artistry, this Antique Sèvres Bleu Céleste Porcelain Jewelry Casket epitomizes opulence and refinement. Crafted in...
Ormolu
Sèvres Porcelain Box, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sèvres porcelain box, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Box, Sèvres porcelain box, gilt brass mount, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Dimensions : H: 7 cm, W: 15 cm, D: 10 cm Co...
Brass
Sevres Porcelain Box
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sevres porcelain box Origin France Circa 1900 Interior decoration (flowers) bronze mount hand painted box.
Bronze
Box Sevres Porcelain
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Box sevres porcelain octagonal format Decorated with flowers inside (hand-painted) Bronze frame Perfect condition Circa 1900 origin France.
Bronze
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Box of Sevres
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
sevres box circa 1900 perfect state cobalt blue with gold hand painted origin france. The Manufacture nationale de Sèvres is one of the most important and w...
Ceramic
A Sèvres Porcelain Box, Gilt Brass Mounting, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A Sèvres porcelain case, gilt brass mounting, 19th century, Napoleon III period. An important Sèvres porcelain box, 19th century, Napoleon III period, gilt brass mounting. Dimensio...
Brass
French Sèvres 19th Century Porcelain Egg with Putto and Garland of Pink Roses
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Sèvres Manufacture porcelain egg from the 19th century, with putto and floral hand painted décor. Born in France during the 19th century, this exquisite decorative egg featu...
Porcelain
IMPORTANT CUT-OUT BOX, SÈVRES 18th Century
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT CUT-OUT BOX, SÈVRES 18th Century Sèvres. Polychrome and gold decoration with reserves with landscape and figures. Rims and clasp in relief bronz...
Porcelain
Sèvres Porcelain Box, Gilt Brass Mounting, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sèvres porcelain box, gilt brass mounting, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A Napoleon III period box, 19th century, Sèvres porcelain and gilt brass mount. Dimensions : H: 14cm, ...
Brass
Sèvres Porcelain Box, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sèvres porcelain box, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A 19th century Napoleon III period Sèvres porcelain box, Chateau des Tuilleries, gilt brass mounting. Dimensions : H: 12cm,...
Brass
Sterling Silver, Lidded Porcelain Trinket or Snuff Box
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A charming little sterling silver-lidded porcelain box, possibly used for snoring snuff, or for general trinkets. The silver top is decorated in Louis XVI style, and bears the Minerv...
Silver
Very Rare 19th C. Cobalt Blue Ground Sevres Porcelain Jewelry Box
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
A very large and unusual 19th century French Louis XVI style dore bronze mounted Sevres cobalt blue ground box signed Sarat. This box is truly a masterpiece. Sevres boxes...
Bronze
Small 19th Century Napoleon III Period Sèvres Porcelain Box.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small 19th century Napoleon III period Sèvres porcelain box. A Napoleon III period small box, 19th century, in Sèvres blue porcelain, enamelled and gilded, with a gallant scene on t...
Porcelain
$1,520Sale Price|20% Off
Sevres Porcelain Box
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sevres porcelain box octagonal format Hand painted and signed on its base perfect condition Origin France Circa 1900 its mount is gilded bronze.
Bronze
Sevres Porcelain Cobalt Blue Ground Watteau Lovers Scene Bombay form Box, Signed
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous French Louis XVI style Sevres Porcelain cobalt blue Ground Watteau Lovers Scene Bombay form jewel box and cover, Signed by the Artist. Of cartouche form with bombay shaped...
Porcelain
A 19th Century Sevres Hand Painted Hinged Box
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A small French Sevres porcelain hand painted box with hinged lid. The vibrant color with gilt accents depicting 18th Century Style Fencers with a cobalt blue border. Marked on bott...
Porcelain
$520Sale Price|20% Off
White Round Sèvres Box
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
White round Sèvres box rococo style perfect condition origin France, circa 1900.
Ceramic
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Sevres Porcelain Chest Romantic Scene 'Lux'
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sevres porcelain chest romantic scene (Lux) signed Lux 19th century crica 1900.
Porcelain
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Sevres Ceramica chest Rococo style 19th century 1870 hand painted
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sevres Ceramica chest Rococo style 19th century 1870 hand painted origin France Perfect unrestored condition natural wear. The Manufacture nationale de Sèvres is one of the most important and well-known European madame-de-pompadour porcelain...
Ceramic
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Box Sevres Porcelain Romantic Scene
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sevres porcelain romantic scene box napoleon III style Origin france hand painted 19th century circa 1890 with no stamp perfect condition.
Porcelain
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Rococo Ceramic Sevres Chest
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Rococo ceramic sevres chest hand painted signed Rochette perfect condition 19th century circa 1870.
Ceramic
$3,243
H 7.09 in W 10.63 in D 8.27 in
Antique French Sevres Porcelain and Ormolu Jewellery Casket 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine large antique French Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain jewellery casket, circa 1860 in date. This magnificent casket is rectangular in shape with the lid and each side exce...
Porcelain
Antique Bronze Ormolu and Leather Jewelry Casket
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 3 3/4in W: 9 3/4in D: 5in This Antique Turn of the Century Bronze Ormolu and Leather Jewelry Casket is truly remarkable and is made of the highest quality! If you t...
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Sèvres Style Painted Porcelain and Gilt Brass Box
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Sèvres Style Painted Porcelain and Gilt Brass Box Antique Jewelry box crafted in the style of Sevres, France circa 1870s. Porcelain bombe casket with cobalt blue and ...
Porcelain
19th Century Napoleon III Wood Marquetry Teacaddy
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined antique French tea caddy from the end of Napoleon III. The box is beautifully inlaid with different types of wood and brass, outside around ...
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Napoleon III Vervelle Ebonized Box with Brass Inlay
By Maison Vervelle Audot Successeur
Located in Pearland, TX
A 19th century French ebonized box with brass inlay, the lock signed Vervelle Faut. Vervelle was a famed French maker of boxes, caskets and cabinetry, renowned for their fine craftsm...
Metal, Brass
French Porcelain Jewelry Box
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
A French porcelain jewelry box, styled after Sèvres porcelain, in the Regency design style, circa late-19th century to early-20th century, France. Boxes' lid features outdoor nature scene with couple and dog surrounded by hand-painted gold detail i the Regency design style. Gold hand-painted detail featured on lid, front, sides and back of box. Great as a standalone piece or to hold jewelry (demonstrated) or other items on a desk, vanity, dresser, etc. Marked on underside as shown in last image, 'Made in France', 'Hand Decorated'. Box is a nice size. Dimensions: 2.75" Height x 4.13" Depth x 6.5" Width. Jewelry and other items shown available separately, search 1stDibs ref. #: For Italian Ginori box search 1stDibs ref. #: LU1314243501722 Cartier coffee...
Porcelain
$10,250
H 5 in W 13 in D 7.5 in
Sevres Porcelain Cobalt Blue Ground Watteau Lovers Scene Bombay form Box, Signed
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous French Louis XVI style Sevres Porcelain cobalt blue Ground Watteau Lovers Scene Bombay form jewel box and cover, Signed by the Artist. Of cartouche form with bombay shaped...
Porcelain
$651,300
H 20 in W 31 in D 18 in
Important, Rare French Ormolu Sevres Style Porcelain Jewelry Box on Bronze Table
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A rare and important French ormolu/bronze and Sevres style turquoise porcelain jewelry box casket on matching French ormolu/bronze table with Sevres style porcelain plaques. Of palatial / monumental size! "The Marie Antoinette Jewelry...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
German Porcelain Jewelry Box
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful German oval porcelain jewelry box, in the Regency design style, circa mid-20th century, Germany. Boxes' lid features outdoor nature scene with couple in a park sounded by...
Porcelain
$2,280Sale Price|25% Off
H 4.93 in W 10.44 in D 7.49 in
19th Century Napoleon III Burl Wood Sewing Box
Located in Paris, FR
Varnished, burl wood sewing box, decorated with Greek frieze and brass inlays. The box contains a mirror and sewing utensils made of bone and brass, as...
Brass
$1,500
H 4.13 in W 9.13 in D 5.75 in
Large Ornate Antique French Ormolu Beveled Glass Jewelry Casket Dresser Box
Located in Wayne, NJ
A stunning antique French brass ormolu beveled glass footed jewelry casket or dresser box with hinged lid with a large rectangular design with beveled glass, ornate feet, intricate...
Ormolu
$2,950
H 3.25 in W 9.25 in D 5.13 in
Antique Hand Painted Jeweled French Sevres Type Cobalt Blue Porcelain Table Box
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine antique Sevres style French porcelain dresser box or casket. With extensive gilt highlights and turquoise, red & white enamel jeweling throughout. Decorated to the ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 4.53 in W 9.85 in D 6.7 in
Box, Sèvres Porcelain and Gilt Brass Mounting, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Box, Sèvres porcelain and gilt brass mounting, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A 19th century Napoleon III period Sèvres porcelain box with patinated gilt brass mounting, decorat...
Brass
Sold
H 4.73 in W 13.39 in D 8.47 in
Sèvres Porcelain Box, Gilt Brass Mounting, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sèvres porcelain box, gilt brass mounting, late 19th century, Napoleon III period. A 19th century Napoleon III period Sèvres porcelain box with gilt brass mounting. H: 12cm, W: 34cm...
Brass
Sold
H 5.91 in W 15.75 in D 11.42 in
Rare Pair of Sèvres Porcelain Boxes, Brass Mounts, Napoleon III Period.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rare Pair of Sèvres Porcelain Boxes, Brass Mounts, 19th Century, Napoleon III period. A pair of Sèvres porcelain boxes, brass mounts, very large boxes, painted decorations on porcel...
Brass
Sèvres Porcelain Box and Chest, 19th Century.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sèvres porcelain box and chest, 19th century. A Sèvres porcelain box, richly decorated with 3 paintings on the belt and one on the top, enhanced with gold, Napoleon III period, 19th...
Porcelain
BEAUTIFUL PERFUMER Sevres end 18th Century
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Madrid, ES
BEAUTIFUL PERFUMER Sevres 18th Century In French Sévres porcelain, with a gilded bronze mount, polychrome and gilded decoration with a gallant landscape s...
Porcelain
Sèvres Porcelain Box, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
" Sèvres porcelain box, Napoleon III period, 19th century. " Sèvres porcelain box, signed, gilt bronze mounting, rich decorations inside and out, Napoleon III period, 19th century. ...
Bronze
Sold
H 3.94 in W 3.94 in D 1.97 in
Blue Sevres France Set of Porcelain, 5 Pieces, Flowers, for a Dressing Table
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Valladolid, ES
Gorgheous and very refined set of 5-pieces porcelain, hand painted dressing table set, made in France by the House of Sèvres in the Napoleo...
Gold Leaf
Sèvres Porcelain Box, 19th Century
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sèvres porcelain box, 19th century. A 19th century Sèvres porcelain box with a gilt bronze frame, decorated with flowers inside. Measures: H: 12...
Porcelain
Sèvres Porcelain Box, 19th Century
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A Sèvres porcelain box with gilding and rich decorations of scenes, 4 paintings and gilded brass, very nice shape, 19th century, Napoleon III peri...
Porcelain
Napoleon III Sèvres Box Porcelain France xix Century
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Milano, IT
Porcelain box in cobalt blue with rich gold decorations with leafy scrolls. In the reserves there are paintings with a lake landscape and a scene of rural life on the lid. Inside the...
Bronze
Sevres Porcelain Box
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A Sèvres style royal blue porcelain box with a romantic scene of two lovers, early 20th century, Napoleon III style. Measures: H: 8.5 cm, W: 20 cm, D: 14 cm.
Porcelain
Porcelain Box by Sèvres, 19th Century
By Chateau des Tuileries, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A beautiful red, turquoise and white porcelain box with a scene of a gallant couple, signed Sèvres, château des Tuileries, 19th century, Napoleon III pe...
Porcelain