French Porcelain: A Catalogue of the British Museum Collection Book

The British Museum collection of French Porcelain numbers almost 300 pieces. This is the first time that has been fully catalogued, although its origins go back to the last century. In 1897 A.W. Franks bequeathed to the Museum a wide variety of soft-and hard-paste porcelains, ranging in date from the beginnings of French manufacturing activity to Franks' later years. The collection has grown continuously through gifts, bequests and purchases, notably Sir Bernard Eckstein's bequest of 18th-century painted Sevres porcelains. Recent acquisitions include both 19th-and 20th-century pieces. This fully illustrated catalogue includes descriptions and discussions of many pieces which have never before been published, as well as histories of over 30 Parisian and provincial porcelain factories. These accounts are the first to appear in English for several decades and incorporate much new research from French sources, together with a full bibliography. Each piece is illustrated, with its marks.Read More