Skip to main content

French Porcelain

Collection Info
French Porcelain

Just as elsewhere in Europe, Asian porcelain was collected with passion in France in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. It became part of the goût chinois (Chinese taste), which remained popular until the late eighteenth century. Porcelain was used by the nobility and the wealthy bourgeoisie for decorating, dining, the refined drinking of tea, chocolate, and coffee, and for personal uses in the boudoir.

Soft-paste porcelain was first produced in France in the late seventeenth century, developing from experiments made by faïence makers. The first commercially successful porcelain manufactory was established in Saint-Cloud, outside Paris. Other small manufactories, such as Chantilly and Villeroy-Mennecy enjoyed the patronage of the nobility. But it was the manufactory of Vincennes-Sèvres, which flourished with royal patronage and ownership, that became the arbiter of porcelain style throughout Europe from the mid-1750s until the Revolution. French manufacturers made soft-paste porcelain until kaolin was discovered at Limoges in the late 1760s, when hard-paste porcelain was produced by Sèvres, and later in Paris.

George and Helen Gardiner’s collection of French porcelain has been enhanced with significant gifts from private collectors including Pierre Karch and Mariel O’Neill-Karch. It is the most comprehensive public collection in Canada.

Read MoreRead Less
Sort:
Filters
24 results
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Saint-Cloud Porcelain Manufactory
c.1735
Object number: G04.18.9a-b
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1730-1740
Object number: G04.18.10a-b
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1730-1740
Object number: G04.18.11
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1730-1740
Object number: G04.18.12a-b
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1730-1740
Object number: G04.18.13.1-2
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1730-1740
Object number: G04.18.14.1-2
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Saint-Cloud Porcelain Manufactory
c.1745
Object number: G05.11.6
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1730-1751
Object number: G05.11.7
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1730-1740
Object number: G05.12.8a-b
Teapot, Kakiemon style
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1730-1740
Object number: G05.12.9a-b
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1730-1740
Object number: G07.18.6a-b
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1730-1740
Object number: G07.18.7.1a-c-2a-c
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
1730-1740
Object number: G10.3.9
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
1735-1740
Object number: G10.3.10
Floriform Teabowl and Saucer with Japanese Quail and Crane Design
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
1730-1740
Object number: G10.3.12a-b
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Villeroy Porcelain Factory
1737-1748
Object number: G10.3.13
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
1730-1740
Object number: G11.13.1a-b
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1735-1740
Object number: G11.13.10
Photographer: Toni Hafkenscheid
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1735-1740
Object number: G11.13.11
Pair of Bough Pots
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1735-1740
Object number: G20.9.9.1-2
Pierced Bowl
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1735-1740
Object number: G20.9.10
Glass Cooler
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1735-1740
Object number: G20.9.11
Coffee Pot
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1735-1740
Object number: G20.9.12a-b
Covered Ecuelle and Stand
Artist / Maker: Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory
c.1735-1740
Object number: G20.9.13a-c