PAIR OF BAYEUX PORCELAIN VASES

Pair of Bayeux porcelain vases of baluster form with flared necks. The body is decorated with a polychrome bouquet of flowers set in a white oval reserve on one side and a stylized fleur-de-lys on the other. Blue background covered with vine branches and gold scrolls.

The Bayeux factory was founded in 1812 by Joachim Langlois, former director of the Valognes factory. In 1824, in a bid to win over Parisian customers, Joachim Langlois opened a depot in Paris at n°88, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Martin, then at n°80. This depot was later moved to n°8, rue Martel. In the 1820s, the company's reputation spread far beyond national borders, reaching Russia and the United States. The factory's fame soon reached the highest strata of society. In 1828, for example, the Duchesse de Berry and many other celebrities made a point of visiting the Paris store and making important purchases. On his death in 1830, Joachim Langlois left a factory at its peak, employing up to one hundred and fifty people. His widow, Marie-Jeanne le Cavélier, took over the management of the business. The new products were officially presented for the first time in 1834, at the Grande Exposition Nationale on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. The factory was awarded a bronze medal. In 1847, his two daughters, Jeanne and Sophie, took charge of the factory for two years, before selling it to François Gosse in 1849. In order to compete with the great Parisian manufactures, he reduced the luxury productions comparable to them and limited himself to new, simpler decors and a few imitations from Japan and China. In this way, he fully revitalized the manufactory's activity, which won numerous awards at the World's Fairs (New York 1853, Brussels 1857 and gold medals at the London 1862 and Paris 1867 Fairs). Nevertheless, the death of François Gosse in 1870 marked the beginning of difficulties, and his widow was forced to sell the business to Jules Morlent in 1878. The factory remained in the hands of this family until its final closure on August 1, 1951.

Circa: 1890

Dim: W:27cm, D:27cm, H:52cm

Condition report: In good condition. light wear to gilding.