Martin Carlin - Cabinet, bronze, 18th century, Sèvres porcelain manufactory, France

The Sèvres Manufactory, also known as the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres, is a French porcelain factory that has been producing high quality porcelain since 1756. It is located in the town of Sèvres, just outside Paris. The factory was founded by King Louis XV to compete with the famous Meissen porcelain factory in Germany. The factory quickly gained a reputation for producing some of the finest porcelain in Europe and became a favourite of French royalty and aristocracy. Over the years, the Sèvres Manufactory has produced a wide range of porcelain pieces, including dinnerware, vases, figurines and decorative objects. Many of these pieces are now sought after by collectors. The factory is renowned for its use of intricate and detailed decoration techniques such as hand-painting and gilding. It also produces porcelain in a wide range of colours, including the famous "Bleu de Sèvres" (Sèvres Blue). The Sèvres Manufactory is still in operation today and continues to produce some of the finest porcelain in the world. Its pieces are highly prized by collectors and can be found in museums and private collections around the world.

Martin Carlin was a prominent French ébéniste (cabinet maker) who worked in Paris in the mid-18th century. Born in Germany around 1730, he moved to Paris as a young man to pursue a career in furniture making. Carlin quickly gained recognition for his exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs, which combined traditional French styles with elements of the emerging neoclassical movement. Carlin's furniture was characterised by elegant simplicity, refined proportions and exquisite attention to detail. He was particularly noted for his use of exotic woods such as mahogany, ebony and satinwood, and his skilful incorporation of marquetry, gilt bronze mounts and other decorative elements. Carlin's clients included some of the most prominent figures at the French court, including King Louis XV and his mistress Madame de Pompadour. He also worked for wealthy aristocrats and collectors throughout Europe, producing a wide range of furniture including chests of drawers, desks, tables and cabinets. Despite his success, Carlin's career was cut short by his untimely death in 1785. However, his legacy lives on through his innovative designs and the influence he had on the development of French furniture making in the 18th century. Today, his pieces are sought after by collectors and museums around the world for their exceptional quality and historical significance.