This ceremonial table in the style of Louis XVI, crafted from wood, bronze, and porcelain, is the work of E. Grisard d'après Gallet, dated 1887, and produced by the renowned Sèvres Porcelain Factory in France. The table measures 80 × 76 cm and is currently housed in Sahebqaranieh Royal Palace Museum.Based on photographs from Qajar era, this piece was either gifted or purchased from the Sèvres factory during the era and remains preserved in the museum’s collection. The table features a lavish 19th century base and is adorned with exquisite Sèvres porcelain decorations. Its antique base is made of gilt bronze (ormolu), with the factory’s seal engraved beneath the stretcher. This exceptional artwork reflects the neoclassical design language of the Louis XVI period, often associated with Napoleon III.The circular tray is beautifully decorated with gilded medallions and embossed porcelain motifs. The national emblem of Sèvres, featuring two interlaced “L” letters beneath a royal crown, is prominently displayed among the decorations. The name of the artist or decorator also appears on the piece.At the center of the tray is a portrait of Louis XVI in coronation attire, surrounded by medallions featuring the likenesses of prominent women of the royal court. Some distinguished figures are:
Madame de SévignéMademoiselle de FontangesMarie-Thérèse d'AutricheMarie-Adélaïde de Savoie, Duchesse de BourgogneMadame de MontespanLouise-Élisabeth d'Orléans, Mademoiselle d'OrléansSèvres Porcelain Factory – France
The Sèvres Porcelain Factory is one of Europe’s most prestigious producers of decorative porcelain. The factory is the successor to the earlier Vincennes porcelain works, which was founded in 1740 by order of Louis XV and under the patronage of Madame de Pompadour. The main purpose of its establishment was to rival other prominent porcelain producers, such as Chantilly in France and Meissen in Germany.
In 1756, the Vincennes factory was relocated to Sèvres, near the Château de Bellevue, where the new royal porcelain factory was built. Due to the outstanding artistic quality and technical refinement of Sèvres porcelain, it became the ideal example for many European factories during the 18th century, surpassing even the long-established Meissen standards. This reputation of excellence continued well into the 19th century.