Exquisite antique late 19th century French Sevres style porcelain plaque. Beautifully hand painted, representing a classical scène a galante portrait, trimmed with a gilded border on a lovely blue celeste ground. The portrait depicts a courting couple in 18th century dress reminiscent of Marie Antoinette / Louis XVI. Portrayed in a charming garden setting. The details rendered here are quite impressive and are a testament to the artist's skilled hand, undoubtedly Sevres quality. Framed in a gilt wood frame. The back bearing a label for Parisian art dealers Deforge & Carpentier of 6 rue Halévy, Paris. This label was in use from 1871 to 1880. In overall good antique condition. Some crazing to the porcelain. A couple of scratches to the lower left of the gilded border surrounding the scene, visible in the pictures. General wear/chipping to the frame. Frame measures 11" x 8 1/2".
La maison Deforge, Carpentier, Bertrand et Cie, Benoît existed from 1840 to 1888 as art suppliers / art dealers in Paris during the 19th century, operating under different names and with shops and workshops at several different addresses. The firm was founded in 1840 at 8 boulevard Montmartre by Armand Auguste Deforge (1802-1886), a prominent art dealer who went into partnership with Marie Charles Edouard Carpentier from 1858 to 1880. They were important art dealers who promoted artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir in the mid-19th century. Carpentier used the designation “successeur” only after 1870, and the shop moved to 6 rue Halévy in 1871. The firm changed names again, becoming Bertand et Cie in 1880. In 1884, the firm went into partnership with Alphonse Xavier Benoit, changing name to Maison Deforge-Carpentier, A. Benoit Successeur until 1888.