Pair of Chantilly porcelain and bronze shuttles, Paris, circa 1740

A rare pair of polylobed soft-paste porcelain shuttles, decorated with a "Kakiemon with a Cockchafer" motif imitating Japanese porcelain. Exquisitely crafted with a beautiful polychrome palette in particularly vibrant tones.
Signed with a red hunting horn on the reverse of the pieces, along with inventory number: B-31-A
Chantilly Manufactory, early reign of Louis XV, circa 1735–1740.
In perfect condition.
Gilt bronze mounts from the Louis XV period, featuring a corner band around the inner edge and two finely chased acanthus clasps on the sides.

Dimensions:
Width: 15.5 cm; Depth: 13.5 cm; Height: 6.5 cm

Our opinion: Soft-paste porcelain imitating Japanese porcelain, introduced to Europe at the end of the 17th century, is extremely rare.
Often, these early porcelain pieces were repurposed from their original uses for food, as is the case here with our two sugar bowls, which were embellished with exquisite bronze mounts, transforming them from utilitarian objects into precious courtly items.
When such porcelain pieces appear as a pair, preserved in perfect condition and adorned with such high-quality gilt-bronze mounts, they belong to the most select market and are the preserve of the high nobility.