169 - CHINA. Yongzheng Period (1723–1735)

CHINA. Yongzheng Period (1723–1735) Lidded porcelain mustard pot from the service of Louis XV, King of France (1710–1774), with polychrome painted decoration in the “green family” color palette: underglaze blue, green, red, and gold. The barrel-shaped body bears the coat of arms of France—“azure, three fleurs-de-lis Or, two and one”—in a shield surmounted by the royal crown, surrounded by the collars of the Order of Saint Michael and the Order of the Holy Spirit. On either side are small circular medallions with gilded borders, adorned with stylized floral motifs—likely lotuses—and a large motif of a blooming chrysanthemum with gilded petals, surmounted by a bowl filled with stylized citrus fruits and foliage. The rim is accented by a frieze of gold and red foliage. The lid, adorned with a similar design, is bordered by a frieze depicting the Collar of the Holy Spirit. A silver gadrooned mount encircles the lid; the raised shell-shaped knob and the handle feature a spinning top motif accented with fillets. Salmon-head hallmark, Paris 1744–1755. Porcelain circa 1725–1730. H. 10 cm - D. 6 cm AJ A tiny hair inside the lid and a slight chip in the decoration inside three shells of the Order of Saint Michael’s necklace on the right side of the shield. Very slight wear on the gold. Minor original firing flaws. Provenance: Private collection, France. This mustard pot belongs to the first service commissioned for Louis XV through the French East India Company between 1725 and 1730. Its polychrome decoration would be repeated in later commissions, around 1738, in the characteristic color palette of the “Famille Rose.” Bibliography: - Michel Beurdeley, *Porcelaine de la Compagnie des Indes*, Fribourg, Office du Livre, 1962. - Antoine Lebel, “French and Swiss Coats of Arms on 18th-Century Chinese Porcelain.” 2009, pp. 38–39. - Stéphane Castelluccio, “The Chinese Porcelain Service Bearing the Coat of Arms of Louis XV.” *L’Objet d’Art*, April 2011. -China at Versailles: Art and Diplomacy in the 18th Century, 2014, pp. 95–101 Related works held in public collections: - Palace of Versailles: three platters and three lidded terrines. Inv. V.2018.23, V.2019.1, V.2019.2, V.2019.3, V.2019.4, V.2019.5. - Musée de la Compagnie des Indes. Lorient: one platter. Inv. 2012.16.1. -Musée du Petit-Palais. Paris: one plate. Inv. ODUT1213 -Musée Adrien Dubouché. Limoges: one platter. ADL 5727. -Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Paris: a torch. Inv. 12292. Two knives. Inv. 28710 A & 28710 B. A mustard pot. Inv. 2025.23.1 Auction references. -Christie’s New York, January 26, 2015, lot 72: a dish. -Paris, Hôtel Drouot, Yann Le Mouel auction house, March 27, 2024, lot 217: a mustard pot of similar shape. -Paris, Hôtel Drouot, Pestel-Debord Auction House, December 15, 2025, lot 148: a spice box.