Heritage > a visit of the Sèvres porcelain Manufactory

On Tuesday 13 February 2024, Fondation Napoléon employees had the privilege of visiting the workshops of the Manufacture de Sèvres, offering a fascinating insight into the world of fine ceramics.

They were warmly welcomed by the Manufacture team, who guided them through the various workshops, and were able to observe at close quarters the craftsmen and students at the École de Sèvres working with remarkable skill to create and decorate unique pieces. The process of designing a plate was presented in all its stages, starting with grading, followed by drying, decoration in the paint workshop, gilding and finally burnishing the gold.

At the focal point of the visit were the craftsmen’s explanations of the reproduction of an exceptional piece, a reproduction of a plate from the Emperor’s personal service depicting the Rue de Rivoli, after the original loaned by the Fondation Napoléon. In October 1807, Napoleon commissioned the Sèvres manufactory to produce a service for the imperial table, known as the service particulier de l’Empereur.

This partnership was an opportunity to discover the age-old craft techniques used to reproduce these historic pieces. Each gesture, each stage of the manufacturing process, reveals a heritage carefully preserved by the Sèvres craftsmen. This reproduction process is not simply an artistic exercise, but an act of heritage preservation. By rediscovering and perpetuating techniques dating back to the imperial era, the Sèvres manufactory plays an essential role in preserving France’s cultural heritage. Each reproduction is a window onto the past, enabling current generations to appreciate and understand the art and history that have shaped our society.

published: 23 February 2024