Bordeaux Porcelain Milk Jug - Atelier Des Verneuilh - 18th Century

An ovoid body supported by a low pedestal, wide spillway. Raised flattened handle. White background, with polychrome decoration. In the center, a circular medallion, framed by a gilded net, depicts one of the allegorical attributes: a hat decorated with flowers, a gilded trumpet, a draped blue scarf or ribbon, as well as a garland of flowers and foliage, evoking a pastoral or rural theme. The body is decorated with a wide band with a pink background, embellished with scrolls and arabesques painted in parma, which supports the central medallion. This band is framed by two friezes decorated with garlands of ropes and gilded nets. The neck has a gilded motif of garlands and scrolls. Garlands of foliage and gilded nets adorn the edges and body of the piece. Brand(s): Brush painted in gold "VV" for VERNEUILH and NEUVEU, Dimension(s): Height. 16.2 cm - Length. 10.7 cm, Condition(s): GOOD CONDITION - Cracks at the base and at the attachment of the handle on the body - (Repair invisible to the naked eye) - Minor wear from use, Period: 18th century - LOUIS XVI (1787-1791) BORDEAUX PORCELAIN "VERNEUILH and NEUVEU" and NOT "Verneuilh and Vanier"... The name of the Bordeaux porcelain factory is subject to debate. Traditionally called "Verneuilh and Vanier", this name has been erroneous for many years. No historical documentation confirms an association between the Verneuilhs and Michel Vanier. Research indicates that Pierre Verneuilh and his nephew Jean founded their own factory at the Château des Terres de Bordes en Paludate in Bordeaux in 1781. However, due to the poor quality of their production, they decided in July 1787 to sublet the factory to Michel Vanier, an experienced porcelain maker from Valenciennes. According to a letter from Vanier to Alluaud dated 10 November 1787, this agreement provided for Vanier to produce white porcelain for the Verneuilhs, who then purchased these pieces to decorate in their Bordeaux workshops. Furthermore, faced with financial difficulties very quickly, six months after his arrival in Bordeaux, Vanier entered into a partnership on 1 January 1788 with François Alluaud of Limoges, his own supplier of earthenware, in order to continue his production of white porcelain. The decorated pieces from this collaboration bear the mark "AV" in grand feu blue, with or without the mention "Bordeaux", meaning "Alluaud and Vanier". It is therefore impossible that Vanier was simultaneously associated with the Verneuilhs and Alluaud... The pieces decorated by the Verneuilhs are marked with two "V"s next to each other or slightly overlapping, representing "Verneuilh and Neveu" (Pierre Verneuilh and his nephew Jean). Thus, the correct name of the factory is "VERNEUILH and NEVEU" and not "Verneuilh and Vanier", a misnomer that has been widespread for many years. In conclusion, although Michel Vanier played a significant role in the production of porcelain in Bordeaux, there is no evidence of a direct association between him and the Verneuilhs. The designation "VERNEUILH et NEVEU" therefore more faithfully reflects the historical reality of the Verneuilh factory in Bordeaux between 1781 and 1786, after which it became solely a Bordeaux decoration workshop still called "VERNEUILH et NEUVEU" from 1787 to 179? (We do not know exactly when the Verneuilh decoration workshop ended). It should be noted that in 1793, the Verneuilhs were still buying stocks of white porcelain from Vanier sold at auction following the closure of its factory in 1791. In addition, the Verneuils also obtained their white porcelain from Parisian factories such as Nast. Ronan Lelandais