According to the archival record at the Manufacture de Sèvres, this type of coupe was offered as the agricultural prize.
The central pâte-sur-pâte portrait medallion of Cybele, a goddess of the earth and the harvest alongside floral garlands and wheatears, is particularly fitting. The design is by Alexandre-Paul Avisse (fl.1848-84), best known for his collaborations with Art Nouveau pioneers Taxile Doat and Albert Dammouse, with the sumptuous decoration completed by JCG Derichsweiler.
Sèvres porcelain presentation tazza or ‘Coupe Cybele’ – £5500 at Cotswold Auction Company.
A number of these have appeared for sale in the past including the example sold by Bonhams in 2015 for £2500. This one, believed to have been awarded for a prize bull, came for sale at the Cotswold Auction Company (22% buyer’s premium) in Cirencester on June 22 where, guided at £2000-2500, it took £5500.
