Extremely rare tea set dates back to early 1800s


This rare tea set features portraits of accomplished women of the day. It was originally a gift to Napoleon’s first wife.

WILLIAMSTOWN, MA - The Clark Art Institute recently acquired an extremely rare tea service that is noted both for the exceptional craftsmanship on the part of the woman artist who was central to its creation and for its subject matter - a remarkable collection of portraits of women noted in European history.
The tea service painted by Marie-Victoire Jaquotot between 1811 and 1812 for the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory features miniature portraits of women noted for their achievements within governance, literature, philosophy, and international relations. The 20-piece service, one of only three known sets, was originally presented in 1812 by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte to his first wife, the Empress Josephine, whom he had divorced in 1810. The empress rejected the gift and returned the service to the factory. Bonaparte’s second wife, the Empress Marie-Louise, then presented the set to her friend, the Countess of Ségur, in 1813. Stop by the galleries soon to see these remarkable women.
To learn more about the set and the 16 historic women portrayed on the various pieces of the tea service visit https://www.clarkart.edu/About/Press-Room/Press-Room-Archives/2022-Archi....

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