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.
Ceramic lamp base with faceted ball, signed PM Sèvres
By Paul Millet, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
French table lamp from the 1940s by Paul Millet for the Sèvres porcelain factory. Round, faceted ceramic lamp base with a beige glaze. Lampshade sold separately. Very good vintage co...
Ceramic
Pair of Sevres Belle Epoque Vases with Nasturtium now Lamps
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
This pair of French Belle Epoque enameled porcelain vases, decorated with winding nasturtium vines and blossoms, was designed in the Art Nouveau taste by Maximilien- Ferdinand Merigo...
Porcelain, Wood
$1,523Sale Price|30% Off
Hollywood Regency 3.3kg Crystal Glass "LUCID" Table Light by Sevres France 1960s
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Table light base crystal glass Producer: Sevres, France Origin: France Age: 1960s This fantastic vintage table light was designed...
Crystal, Metal
$650Sale Price|23% Off
Sevres Blue Ground Porcelain Vase Mounted as a Lamp, Early 20th Century
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Astoria, NY
Sevres Blue Ground Porcelain Vase Mounted as a Lamp, early 20th century, with gilt metal handles, the ovoid body painted with a scene of travelers within a landscape, and a bucolic l...
Metal
$2,500Sale Price / set|56% Off
Pair of 19th Century Porcelain Ormolu Mounted Table Lamps by Sevres
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of fine quality 19th Century Louis XVI style Sevres porcelain ormolu mounted table lamps. Traditional French porcelain. These beautiful h...
Bronze
French 19th century Louis XVI st. cobalt blue Sèvres porcelain and Ormolu lamp
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and very high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. cobalt blue Sèvres porcelain and Ormolu lamp. The lamp is raised by a square Ormolu base with elegant and unique fi...
Ormolu
$650Sale Price|23% Off
Sevres Blue Ground Gilt Metal Mounted Two Handle Porcelain Vase Mounted as Lamp
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Astoria, NY
Sevres Blue Ground Gilt Metal Mounted Two Handle Porcelain Vase Mounted as Lamp, early 20th century, the body painted with a scene of a courting couple signed "H. Poitevin", the reve...
Brass
$3,375Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of Sèvres Porcelain Hand-Painted Female Nude Table Lamps
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Sèvres Porcelain hand-painted table lamps with two part brass and umber velvet base. The hand-painted and glazed bodies of the table lamps are a female nude on a heathered ci...
Brass
Paul Milet for Sèvres Azure Art Deco Table Lamp with Glass Diffuser Shade
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This Art Deco era porcelain torchiere table lamp was designed by Paul Milet (1870-1950) for Sèvres and comes complete with its original glass diffuser shade. The body of the lamp has been finished in a rich azure/sapphire jewel...
Porcelain, Glass
Large lamp in Sevres porcelain signed Boutaleb
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Very nice, large Sevres porcelain lamp signed by Boutaleb Dated 1969 This lamp is ultra rare Perfect condition Dimensions given without shade ...
Bronze
Bronze-Mounted Cobalt Blue Porcelain Lamp, circa 1900
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
The porcelain is Sevres and the bronze mounts are by E.F. Caldwell.
Bronze
Beautiful Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Sèvres Style Porcelain Lamp
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Long Island City, NY
A beautiful late 19th century gilt bronze-mounted sèvres style porcelain lamp. Raised gilt decorations, the front scene is of a reclining maiden among flowers being attended by cu...
Bronze
1960s French Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage ceramic lamp from Vallauris, France, 1960's. Glazed ceramic base and handle in light grey coloring. Lovely circular appliqué details on handle and neck. Newly rewired with ne...
Ceramic, Linen
$1,412
H 17.33 in W 7.88 in D 6.3 in
Napoléon III Dark Blue Sèvres Porcelain Ormolu-Mounted Table Lamp
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Antwerp, BE
Ormolu-mounted dark blue Sèvres porcelain table lamp, circa 1880. Measures: Height 44 cm Width 20 cm Depth 16 cm. The lampshade is not included in the price.
Brass, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Italian Fragment Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 19th c. Italian Carved Wood Fragments converted to Lamps. The Shades are included and are Hand Made of Parchment Paper. They are Hand Gilded and Decorated. The lamps have be...
$3,700 / set
H 30 in Dm 18.5 in
Pair Antique French Belle Epoque Porcelain and Ormolu Lamps, circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Belle Epoque porcelain and ormolu lamps, circa 1880.
Ormolu
Fine Quality Pair of French Sevres Style Porcelain Vases
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality pair of 19th century French 'Sevres' style vases, having gilded ormolu mounts, a twisted, fluted, ribbed form with turquoise border and floral decoration. We can arra...
Porcelain
Pair of 'Japonsime' Blue Porcelain Vases Mounted as Lamps
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair Of 'Japonsime' Gilt-Bronze-Mounted Powder-Blue Porcelain Vases, Mounted As Lamps. By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Paris. Each with a square shaped body. The sides decorated with ...
Ormolu
French Art Deco Crystal Table Lamp, 1930s, Faceted Base
By Saint Louis, Jacques Adnet, Baccarat
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A refined French table lamp from the 1930s, featuring a beautifully faceted crystal base of exceptional clarity and craftsmanship. The piece has been fully rewired to modern standard...
Crystal
$314Sale Price|30% Off
H 30 in W 5 in D 5 in
Mid 20th Century Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Vase Mounted as Table Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid 20th Century Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Vase Mounted as Table Lamp Measures 5" in width x 5" in depth x 20.5" in height x 30" to the top of the porcelain finial
Enamel
$5,600
H 29 in W 12 in D 11 in
Hollywood Regency Lotus Flower Lamp in Polished Brass by Feldman c. 1960
By Feldman Lighting Co.
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Exquisite brass lotus flower Hollywood Regency table lamp by Feldman Lighting Company often described as in the style of Tommi Parzinger. When originally sold in the 1960s, Feldman Lotus Lamps were customized to the buyer's taste - one could select the number of branches and end pieces not unlike a flower arrangement. This particular lamp features four branches with a budding lotus flower, two leaves and a lotus bud all emanating from a lotus flower central stem. Beautifully detailed and etched, each brass piece is carved with organic markings for a more natural look. A most alluring and seductive glow emanates from the brass. Upper crust look and sensibility. We've always pictured this lamp glowing atop a beautiful console in an elegant entry. But in any room, this lamp will be a show stopper that you'll notice and admire each time you gaze upon it. The lamp was professionally rewired and professionally polished and lacquered to retain the brass glow. Photographed along with and also currently available in our shop - Pair of Hollywood Regency Tall Brass Lotus Lamps by Feldman Lighting circa 1960s Large Brass...
Brass
Glam Hollywood Regency Faceted Crystal Lamp Base
Located in New York, NY
Faceted crystal table lamp base with gold and white cast foliate spacer elements. Clean, working condition original shade and finial included.
Metal
$2,000 / set
H 14.57 in Dm 8.47 in
French Riviera style. Hollywood Regency ceramic table lamps, France, 1960s
By Bassano, Cerámicas BONDIA, Capo Di Monte, Hispania CH
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Handmade Hollywood Regency style ceramic table lamps from La Côte d’Azur, France, 1960s. Each piece is formed by a hand turned ceramic vase with off white crackled glazed finish, and...
Metal, Brass
$5,600
H 28 in W 20 in D 8 in
Hollywood Regency Lotus Flower Lamp in Polished Brass by Feldman c. 1960
By Feldman Lighting Co.
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sculptural brass lotus flower lamp by Feldman Lighting Company often described as in the style of Tommi Parzinger. When originally sold, Feldma...
Brass
Sevres Pink Ground Porcelain Lamps, Pair
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Sevres Pink Ground Gilt Metal Mounted Porcelain Lamps, late 19th century, each of ovoid form, with scrolled eagle head handles, the bodies painted with panels of cupid at pla...
Porcelain
Sold
H 21.66 in W 7.88 in D 3.94 in
Antique Sevres Porcelain Blue & Gilt & Ormolu Table Lamp 19th Century
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning antique French Sevres style Cobalt Blue hand-painted porcelain and ormolu mounted twin handled vase, circa 1880 in date, later converted into a lamp. The large ...
Ormolu
Sold
H 21.26 in Dm 9.85 in
Table Lamp in Hand Painted Sevres Porcelain and Glass Lampshade from the 1940s
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Milano, MI
Hand painted Sevres porcelain table lamp, with bronze structure and green glass shade, made in the 1940s Sèvres ceramics are one of the most famous ceramic manufacturers in all of...
Bronze
Sold
H 34.75 in W 8.75 in D 7.25 in
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Cobalt Blue Sèvres Porcelain And Ormolu Lamp
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and very high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. cobalt blue Sèvres porcelain and ormolu lamp. The lamp is raised by a square ormolu base with elegant and unique fi...
Ormolu
MP Sevres French Antique Pottery Art Deco Lamp Gilt Bronze D'ore Flambe
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Wilton, CT
Antique MP Sevres French pottery Art Deco lamp in blue/green flambe glaze, circa 1920's. Beautiful gilt bronze hardware. Double cluster pull sockets. 29" hi...
Pottery
Signed Sevres Figural Porcelain Lamp of Reclining Female M/I Italy
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in West Hartford, CT
Exquisite antique Sevres white porcelain lamp of a reclining female wrapped with a bronze branch and leaves. Comes with beautiful silk pleated shade. All Sevres hallmarks are present...
Brass
Pair Louis XVI Style French Sevres Blue Porcelain Ormolu Mounted Lamps
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of Louis XVI Style French Sevres blue porcelain hand painted ormolu-mounted oil lamps This is an exquisite large pair of Sevres bl...
Bronze
Pair of Bronze-Mounted Sevres Ceramic Lamps in the Manner of Theodore Deck
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Winter Park, FL
A pair of rare 19th century French bronze-mounted Sevres ceramic lamps, beautifully hand painted by Charles Ficquenet in the manner of Theodore Deck. Four different birds, each paint...
Bronze
Pair of French Sèvres Porcelain Urns
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Winter Park, FL
A pair of 19th century French Sèvres Porcelain bronze mounted urns, each with pastoral scenes on blue ground with hand painted gold accents. Ma...
Bronze
Sold
H 16.54 in W 13.78 in D 6.7 in
Pair of Louis XVI Style Sèvres Porcelain Biscuit Candelabra, circa 1880
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Louis XV style candelabra in Sèvres porcelain biscuit and gilt bronze, figuring two putti musicians. Mounted on a rocaille gilt bronze circular base with two candle branches...
Ceramic, Porcelain
19th Century Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Covered Urn/Lamp
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century Sèvres ormolu-mounted porcelain urn with cover, later wired for a lamp. The hand-painted urn depicts a couple and a chateau in the countryside. Marked inside Sèvres 184...
Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century Sèvres Porcelain Vase Lamps, France
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of 19th century “Sèvres” porcelain covered urns with hand painted polychrome enameled oval cartouches. Both of the front paintings are signed “Gillet“. The vases are decorated w...
Porcelain