Soft-paste porcelain, dark blue (bleu lapis) and green ground colours, a Teniers scene by C.-N. Dodin (mark K), flowers and gilding; with porcelain flowers and gilt-bronze stems, dolphin and cover (replacing Sèvres originals), and stand, 34.3cm with mounts.
The model, introduced in 1759, combines a flower pot for growing bulbs which when out of season could be replaced by pots of porcelain flowers perfumed by the central pot-pourri section.
PROVENANCE possibly from Madame de Pompadour's collection (together with a matching vase 'pot pourri en navire' in the Royal Collection which she bought in 1759) and listed in her inventory at Saint-Ouën on her death in 1764. Bought from E. H. Baldock on 8 November 1830 for £130.