Presented for sale is a rare pair of 18th century soft paste Sevres flower stands or cachepots typical of the work of artist Pierre-Antoine Mereaud (Merault) the Younger (1754-1791); his mark incised on both bases.

The stands are decorated in deep blue cobalt with hand painted classical vignettes on one side and vignettes with musical instruments on the other. The stands have jeweled beading and gilt framing referred to in a Sevres book* as having a "dull appearance; the gold was merely sprinkled on after the removal of the object from the enameling kiln." The result was then produced by burnishing "au clou", a technique used until the beginning of the 19th century.

The stands are both in excellent condition with minor rubbing of gilt, mainly to the top edge.

Size: 4 3/8" Height by 4 5/8" Diameter (not including scrolled handles).