THE MOUNTS CIRCA 1755, THE PORCELAIN KANGXI (1662-1722)

In its pyramidal composition and overall concept, this pot-pourri vase shares much with the celebrated design for a fontaine parfum supplied by the marchand-mercier Thomas-Joachim Hbert to Louis XV in 1743. Showing a central Oriental porcelain baluster vase and cover supported on an assymetrical rocaille plinth with flanking hounds and signed by one of the Slodtz brothers, it is not known whether the fountain was ever executed. Now in the Bibliothque Nationale, Paris, the design is illustrated in P. Verlet, Les Bronzes Dors Franais du XVIIIe Sicle, Paris, 1987, p.57, pl.49.