ROYAL PRESENTS – PORCELAIN GIFTS EXCHANGED BETWEEN THE FRENCH AND THE SAXON-POLISH COURT IN THE MID-18TH CENTURY by Julia Weber Scientific Assistant at the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, München factory at Vincennes near Paris for a few years. I argue that Acknowledgement these prestigious gifts of August III motivated return pres- The interest in the use of porcelains as diplomatic ents from Versailles and that the resulting unprecedented gifts during the eighteenth century has been exchange of porcelain gifts was not only an indicator of the increasing for the last few years, and culminated in political and familial relations between the two courts, but the exhibition “Fragile diplomacy: Meissen Porcelain also part of a non-verbal competition between the two for European Courts” that Maureen Cassidy-Geiger porcelain manufacturers, with each supported by its king. curated last winter at The Bard Graduate Center for Following the early death of the first dauphine Marie- Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture, Thérèse of Spain in July 1746, several persons worked suc- New York. This article is a revised version of a paper cessfully on behalf of August III to establish Marie-Josèphe given last year at The International Ceramics Fair & as the new dauphine at the French court. An important Seminar that considers new evidence published by French intercessor, as documented in contemporary letters, Selma Schwartz and Jeffrey Munger in their recent was the powerful financier Jean Pâris de Monmartel. In 1 contribution to the catalogue of the Bard exhibition. October 1746 the French general Maurice de Saxe wrote to his half-brother August III: “We have triumphed; the master and his mistress [Madame de Pompadour] took our side.” 2 And In the mid-1740s August III, elector of Saxony and king in another letter he noted: “[…] our friends have served us of Poland, succeeded in establishing close political bonds to well. We must count among them Madame de Pompadour and the French court. His diplomatic endeavours were crowned the Pârises, with whom I am intimately associated, and who are Figure 1, Summer and Autumn from the Seasons vases, Meissen, model groom themselves, everyone who was involved in the festiv- 3 c.1745, moulding and painting c.1750-75, München, Bayerisches by the wedding of his third daughter Maria Josepha, better powerful personages here.” These quotations suggest, that Nationalmuseum, Stiftung Ernst Schneider in Schloss Lustheim, ES ities was rewarded according to his status and function. So known as Marie-Josèphe of Saxony, with the only son of Monmartel’s argument in favour of the Saxon-French wed- 633, ES 634 (Photo: Walter Haberland) was Richelieu, who reported in a letter to the French for- Louis XV in January 1747. Less than one year before, the ding might have been the cause for a royal present, of which eign minister: “After the execution of the contract, the king two kings had signed an agreement that granted subsidies to Loss reported three years later: “Yesterday I saw Mr. de sons from which several slightly varying examples are offered me a sword garnished with diamonds, and sent a service the Saxon court. This advantageous alliance was renewed in Monmartel, who showed me the beautiful Porcelain gift which known today (Figure 1).8 Branches in relief of flowers and of porcelain to my lodging.” 9 Documents at Dresden record, the year of the wedding and remained in effect till 1750. In the King recently sent to him and which honors us greatly since fruits typical of the respective seasons encircled the bodies. that Richelieu received a large porcelain service as well as this period of close political and familial relations, numerous it is of perfect beauty.” 4 Three inventories of the eighteenth Allegorical putti and birds sat on the branches or the porcelain figures and vases.10 Just prior to this, Loss had diplomatic gifts were exchanged between the two courts. century list the pieces then still in possession of the domed covers. The central vase bore an applied gilded sun informed Brühl that Richelieu wished more for a porcelain Of these presents, August III was the first to give porcelain Monmartel:5 All dishes of this Meissen table service were and branches of laurel as well as the figure of Apollo on the service than for anything else.11 So far, the only evidence that - exclusively to the most distinguished French courtiers, to decorated with the so-called Gotzkowsky-pattern: flowered cover. indicates what Richelieu’s service might have looked like, is Louis XV and the newly married couple. These gifts branches in relief, painted flower bouquets and insects as A second Meissen service was offered to the duc de the inventory drawn up at the time of his death in 1788 and occurred in a time when Meissen porcelains were highly well as the arms of Pâris de Monmartel-Béthune.6 Richelieu, who was appointed extraordinary envoy at a more detailed sales catalogue. Schwartz concludes that sought-after and still unrivalled luxury wares. Yet business- Moreover, the table service comprised three sets of vases Dresden at the time of the proxy marriage on January 10, three of the listed Meissen services are to be considered: men in France, supported by Louis XV, had been trying and one table fountain, all mounted in gilt bronze.7 One of 1747. As was usual with such highly ceremonial events, many one was decorated with the Ozier-pattern, a border relief eagerly to establish a competitive French porcelain manu- these garnitures was a set of five vases representing the sea- presents were given on the occasion. Besides the bride and imitating basketwork, and painted European flowers, the ICF&S-2008 38 39 ICF&S-2008 Figure 2, Covered tureen and stand with “Gotzkowsky” pattern and determine whether a Meissen table service would please Figure 3, Set of three vases with painted birds, Meissen, c.1745, one dozen salad bowls and salt cellars and six sauce boats painted flowers, c.1745-47 (Photo: © E&H Manners, London) München, Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Stiftung Ernst Schneider in 15 d’Argenson. In a letter dated November 3, that is to say Schloss Lustheim, ES 1970, ES 1969, ES 1968 (Photo: Walter plus a complete service for the dessert including a tea or shortly after the announcement of the Saxon-French wed- Haberland) coffee service, pierced plates, compotiers, flowerpots, 126 second with “osiers, chimeres & oiseaux”, “chimeres” meaning ding, Loss finally answered: “I have observed, that our porce- figures to decorate the table as well as four sets of vases. probably the Meissen pattern with the dragon-like “Ch’i-lin”, lain appeals very much to Mr. the marquis d’Argenson and I occasion of the wedding, and d’Argenson’s role in the affair, The d’Argenson service was of a similar size to the and the third was described as imitating the old Japanese believe, that a beautiful service of the said porcelain, given to him apparently influenced the quality of the present as well as Monmartel one with the exception that apparently, the lat- manner. Schwartz argues that the last, most complete one, by the king [!], would please him very much. I leave it to His the issue in whose name it was to be sent.18 ter comprised no figures.22 kept separately in Richelieu’s Paris residence, was most like- Excellency to decide on how to use this insinuation […].” Loss So far, the d’Argenson service has not yet been identified In his memoirs, d’Argenson recorded proudly that the ly the one offered by August III who might have considered continued saying that in addition to this gift it would be nec- and it seems impossible to do so with certainty as service had been commissioned expressly for him “in order Richelieu’s taste for Asian porcelains.12 essary to give several small gratifications to less important d’Argenson turned down the proposition to have his coat to be more distinguished and the pieces more perfect.” 23 He A third Meissen table service was sent to the French for- people to whom he had promised a recompense for their of arms painted on it.19 All we know about it is gathered probably derived this idea from the fact that he had been eign minister, the marquis d’Argenson, shortly after the successful support of the princely wedding.16 On November from two original listings, one in German20 and the final asked whether he wanted to have his arms on it or not. proxy marriage.13 D’Argenson, like Monmartel, had played a 26, Brühl replied that he was relieved to know that shipping list in French.21 The German one is more detailed However, the comparison of his table service to the one of decisive role in the back door diplomacy preceding this d’Argenson wished for Saxon porcelain, as he had intended and describes the general pattern of the service as follows: Monmartel suggests that the presents rather followed a wedding and the present was a recompense by August III to send him a Meissen service in his name. “Today, he can [?] “A table service with flowers in relief, with natural flowers [i.e. standard Meissen model that had been recently established for his support. However, the idea for such a gift to receive a more magnificent one from the king, to which I will add European flowers] painted in the cartouches and with a golden with a table service offered to the Russian tsarina Elizabeth d’Argenson had already arisen just prior. Brühl had searched some other matching pieces. Before commissioning it, I only wait rim.” The description is reminiscent of the porcelains sent in June 1745 – the so called St.