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Asia and Africa

Manufactory Vincennes Manufactory French
ca. 1752
Not on view
Asia and Africa is one of a relatively small number of glazed porcelain figure groups produced at the Vincennes factory in the years between 1750 and 1752. These groups represent the factory’s first attempt at porcelain sculpture, and while they reflect varying degrees of technical success, the figures are remarkably ambitious efforts on the part of a young, small enterprise. The factory stopped glazing porcelain sculpture in 1752 – perhaps because the glaze slightly obscured the details of the modeling – but the figures made prior to this date are regarded as among the factory’s greatest artistic successes. The group representing Asia and Africa is one of the most accomplished of the Vincennes glazed groups in terms of its sophisticated composition, skillful modeling, and the pronounced whiteness of the porcelain paste.

[Jeffrey H. Munger, 2012]

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Asia and Africa
  • Manufactory: Vincennes Manufactory (French, ca. 1740–1756)
  • Date: ca. 1752
  • Culture: French, Vincennes
  • Medium: Soft-paste porcelain
  • Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): 11 3/16 × 10 3/8 × 7 1/8 in. (28.4 × 26.4 × 18.1 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics-Porcelain
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Gifts and Marilyn and Lawrence Friedland Gift, 2012
  • Object Number: 2012.507
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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