An exceptional ceremonial table service of outstanding artistic and historical importance, created at the Imperial porcelain manufactory of Sèvres during the period of the First French Empire. The ensemble is executed in the characteristic deep emerald green palette of Imperial Sèvres (vert impérial), enriched with abundant gilding and refined miniature painting, fully reflecting the official artistic canon of the reign of Napoleon I.
The centerpiece of the service is a large ceremonial dish featuring a monumental portrait of Emperor Napoleon I Bonaparte in his coronation attire. The Emperor is depicted full-length with imperial regalia, surrounded by symbols of the Empire, emphasizing the state and representational nature of the composition. The quality of execution is comparable to paintings created for the ceremonial interiors of imperial residences.
The remaining elements of the ensemble are decorated with portraits of Empress Joséphine and members of Napoleon’s immediate circle. The portraits are executed in the technique of miniature painting, with subtle modeling of facial features, delicate rendering of textiles, and jewel-like attention to detail. Each medallion is framed by a finely gilded border with dotted ornamentation, harmoniously integrated into the decorative field of each piece.
Several plates and individual elements of the service are adorned with compositions featuring military trophies: standards, helmets, weapons, and arms, symbolizing the military glory and sovereign power of the French Empire. The forms of the pieces are distinguished by strict balance and monumentality, characteristic of the Empire style. The handles of the coffee pot, milk jug, and sugar bowl display expressive sculptural curves accentuated by full gilding, reinforcing the ceremonial impression.
The painted decoration of the portrait medallions and the principal ceremonial dish was executed by Claude Rochard, painter at the Imperial Sèvres manufactory during the First Empire. The artist’s signatures appear directly within the painted fields of the portraits and on the main dish, confirming the high status of the pieces and their classification as porcelain painting of the highest rank.
The service has been preserved in its original decorative casket with draped silk interior, made specifically for the storage of the complete set, an exceptionally rare survival for an ensemble of this level.
Marks: Red underglaze mark of the Imperial Sèvres manufactory “M. Imp.le de Sèvres”; painter’s signatures of Claude Rochard on the portrait medallions and the main dish; technical marks of the manufactory of the early 19th century.
Dimensions:
Large ceremonial dish: diameter approx. 40 cm.
Plates: diameter approx. 23 cm.
Coffee cups: height approx. 6 cm.
Coffee pot, milk jug, and sugar bowl: ceremonial forms typical of the Sèvres Empire period.
Composition:
22 pieces: 12 coffee cups with saucers; 6 plates; coffee pot; milk jug; covered sugar bowl; large ceremonial dish; original decorative casket.
Condition: Good. Minor traces of age consistent with the period. The painted decoration is vibrant and intact. Gilding shows a light, natural patina. No cracks, chips, or evidence of restoration. The original casket shows age-related wear consistent with the period of manufacture.
Provenance: Private European collection.
During the reign of Napoleon I, the Imperial Sèvres manufactory served as a principal artistic institution of the French Empire and a key instrument of state representation. Following the coronation of 1804, Sèvres porcelain acquired official status as a visual bearer of imperial ideology and was widely used for palace decoration, diplomatic gifts, and ceremonial ensembles intended for the highest court and foreign sovereigns.
Services decorated with portraits of Napoleon and members of his family held a particularly prominent place within the manufactory’s production. They combined utilitarian function with artistic and political symbolism, asserting the legitimacy of the new dynasty and its connection to the imperial traditions of Antiquity and Rome. The deep green grounds, rich gilding, laurel wreaths, and military trophy motifs underscored ideas of victory, strength, and state stability.
Portrait miniatures on porcelain were executed after officially approved painted prototypes and entrusted to leading artists of the manufactory. Claude Rochard, one of the painters of Sèvres during the Empire period, specialized in portraits and historical figures and participated in the creation of works of the highest rank. The presence of his signature within the painted field confirms the exceptional status of this ensemble and its classification as a ceremonial object of museum quality.
Such services were not intended for everyday use. They functioned as elements of ceremonial interiors and were regarded as works of decorative art bearing political and symbolic significance. Complete sets preserved together with their original caskets are among the rarest survivals of Napoleonic porcelain and today are found primarily in museum and former imperial collections across Europe.
The ensemble is in good overall condition. The miniature painting remains crisp and vivid, without losses or later overpainting. The gilding is even, with a refined patina of age. Minor signs of use do not affect the integrity or visual impact of the service.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
