Trash or treasure? Let’s find out

Copycat

Lyn Nance of Port Elizabeth writes I’d like to know more about this Copie d’ancien Sevres bowl; the dimensions are 8cm (H) x 30cm

(L; including metal ornamentation) x 18cm (W). It clearly announces itself as a copy, but I’d still like to find out what it’s worth. Can you help? Ainsley Taylor of Stephan Welz & Co. replies

In 18th century Europe, Chinese porcelain was one of the most highly prized commodities in the Western world, and vast quantities were shipped at great expense to Europe to meet the demands of the wealthy aristocracy.

Aware of the potential fortune to be made if this ‘white gold’ could be produced locally, Augustus the Strong,

King of Poland and Elector of Saxony, financed several scientists and alchemists with the sole purpose of discovering the recipe for making porcelain.

Success took several years, but in 1710 the first European porcelain production started at the royal factory at Meissen in Germany. The French were quick to follow suit, with King Louis XV financing the establishment of a factory at Vincennes. This soon expanded to a new site at Sevres, forever linking this name with fine porcelain. Under the directorship and stylistic influence of Madam de Pompadour, the King’s mistress, the Sevres factory flourished.

The cerise metal-mounted porcelain dish in question here is, as the mark indicates, a 20th century reproduction of a 19th century piece.

CIRCA 20th century VALUE Decorative value only

CONTACT swelco.co.za