Plate (assiette d'echantillons)

The Sèvres porcelain manufactory produced numerous plates with a wide variety of decoration, either as matching sets or as part of dinner or dessert services. This example, however, is one of a small number of individually decorated plates intended for display rather than use. The gilding is more finely detailed and the floral reserves more delicately painted than normal. The reddish-brown ground flecked with gold was also experimental and was apparently not used for any other service. Sèvres may have sold sample plates like this one as collector's items or for presentation to favored clients.