Description:

A Very Fine and Rare Sevres Porcelain Presentation Cup and Cover for The Prix Sevres Awarded at the 'Exposition Universelle Internationale' of 1878 (Coupe 'Couty'). Iron-red decoré mark for 1879, green lozenge and incised potter's marks for 1879 and 1878, gilt ER monogram 8., painted 0. and incised r to the cover.
With stepped circular cover, the bowl inscribed: EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE INTERNATIONALE' MDCCCLXXVIII, PARIS, within a rectangular panel, the bulbous lower section moulded in low relief with ribbon-tied garlands of fruit on a gilt ground, above a vari-baluster stem similary decorated, on stepped circular base, with allover bands of powdered gilt scrolling foliage.

This piece was presented as an award of excellence to the premier laureate group of decorative arts at the L'Exposition Universelle of 1878 in Paris. The form was designed by Edme Couty and was known as the Prix de Sevres (Sevres Award). See Charlotte Gere 'European Decorative Arts at the World's Fairs, 1850 to 1900'. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, Winter 1998-99. p.43. 

Height: 20 inches (50.7 cm)

REF: A801