Created at the instigation of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour, the Sèvres Manufactory's objective in the 18th century was to compete with porcelain from China. It was not satisfied with imitating foreign production and, by involving artists and craftsmen around this precious know-how, it has imposed itself for more than two centuries as a world-renowned reference.
Since its creation in 1740, the Manufacture has been producing porcelain works of art using traditional techniques. Commissioned by the State but also available for public sale, its production is made up of both re-editions of old models and contemporary creations, the Manufacture thus reconciling the expertise acquired over more than 200 years with current technological and artistic approaches.
Since its opening, this large building with the appearance of a classical palace located in the Hauts-de-Seine has also become a museum, bringing together examples of ceramic creations from all origins and periods, to the great delight of researchers, industrialists and scientists. A technical, scientific and educational vocation that was highly innovative for its time, and which, by inspiring the craftsmen working there, has contributed to making this excellent craft known throughout the world.
Porcelain from Sèvres (but also from outside Europe, notably China), pottery, earthenware, stoneware... Numerous works of all ages can be admired in this site that brings together the historic porcelain factory of the 18th century and the National Museum of Ceramics created in 1824 by Alexandre Brongniart, a brilliant scientist, chemist and mineralogist.
25,000 plaster and bronze models of sculptures and forms, precious testimonies to the history of the decorative arts, 40,000 decorative drawings, 10,000 prints that have served as sources of inspiration since the beginning, and Greek vases from the collection of Vivant Denon (the founder of the Louvre Museum): nearly 3 centuries after its creation, and thanks to numerous acquisitions or donations from art lovers, the institution, which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, houses a reference collection.
Every year, it grants numerous loans in France and abroad for temporary exhibitions devoted to this know-how which, thanks to its technical mastery and creativity, has become an emblem of the French art of living.
To learn more and schedule your visit.
Valérie from Comme des Français
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Photo credit (visuals 2, 4 and 5): Sèvres Manufacture and National Museum ©Lorenz Cugini.
