Wednesday 7 October 2009New publication accompanies first exhibition in America to survey full range of Sèvres porcelain

Published by D Giles Limited in association with Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington, D.C, Sèvres Then and Now: Tradition and Innovation in Porcelain, 1750–2000, showcases the longstanding achievements of the French porcelain factory, in particular its unparalleled invention and creativity over three centuries.

Published on the opening of a major exhibition at Hillwood in October 2009, this volume features an assemblage of over 80 international loan objects and pieces from Hillwood’s own renowned collections, many of which are inaccessible and have never been published before. The first to juxtapose the earliest Sèvres pieces with the cutting-edge works of the 21st century, it is one of most vibrant volumes of Sèvres ever to be published.

Three informative essays by Hillwood curator and organizer of the exhibition Liana Paredes, illustrated with the stunning pieces, are devoted to the continuous innovation, in both the production and the design, which has been the hallmark of ceramics at the Sèvres factory from the 1750s to the early years of the 21st century. The opening section explores the beginnings of the factory under royal patronage in the 18th century, and the changes brought about by the French Revolution. The 19th-century section examines the classicizing period of the First Empire and the Restoration, the historicist style of the Second Empire, and closes with Art Nouveau ceramics. Finally the 20th- and 21st-century essay features Art Deco pieces, productions of the 1950s and 60s, and brings the study of Sèvres right up-to-date with the contemporary studio wares by Alexander Calder, Adrien Saxe, and Richard Peduzzi.

The volume features detailed catalogue entries on each of the objects, which include technical information, provenance, bibliography and, in selected cases, an image of the mark. It is illustrated with over 240 colour plates, the vast majority of these from newly commissioned photography.

The Author
Liana Paredes is senior curator of Western European Art at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington, D.C. She is the author of French Furniture from the Collection of Hillwood Museum and Gardens (2002) and co-author of A Taste for Splendor: Russian Imperial and European Treasures from Hillwood Museum and Gardens (1999)
.

SÈVRES THEN AND NOW
Tradition and Innovation in Porcelain, 1750–2000
176 pages, 9” x 11” (279 x 229mm), portrait
275 colour illustrations, hardback
Text: Up to 40,000 words
ISBN: 978 1 904832 63 8 (13 digit)
ISBN: 1 904832 63 6 (10 digit)

Price: US$60.00/UK£35.00
Publication date: October, 2009
Publisher: D Giles Limited, London

Distributed in the UK and Rest of World (excluding US and Canada) by
Antique Collectors’ Club
Sandy Lane
Old Martlesham
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP12 4SD
UK
T: +44 (0)1394 389950
F: +44 (0)1394 389999
Enquiries: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Distributed in the US and Canada by
Antique Collectors’ Club
ACC Distribution,
6 West 18th Street
Fourth Floor
New York, NY 1011
Toll-free orders: +1 800-252-5231
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

For Further Information and Review Copies:
In the UK contact: Liz Japes
20 Lockitt Way
Kingston
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 3LG
Tel: +44 (0)1273 480225
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

In the USA contact: Karen Lunstead, Marketing Manager
ACC Distribution,
6 West 18th Street
Fourth Floor
New York, NY 1011
Toll-free orders: +1 800-252-5231
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)