Pair of Large Antique Etchings: Renaissance, by Jacob Petit (French, 1797–1868)

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Pair of Large Antique Etchings: Calice Renaissance and Baptistère Renaissance, by Jacob Petit (French, 1797–1868)

A stunning and rare pair … Read more Pair of Large Antique Etchings: Calice Renaissance and Baptistère Renaissance, by Jacob Petit (French, 1797–1868)

A stunning and rare pair of large 19th-century etchings by the celebrated French decorative artist and porcelain manufacturer Jacob Petit, titled Calice Renaissance and Baptistère Renaissance. Published in Paris circa 1835 by F. Chardon Aîné, these etchings are exemplary of Petit's refined eye for Renaissance design and ornamental detailing.

Details:

Artist: Jacob Petit (French, 1797–1868)
Publisher: F. Chardon Aîné, Paris (fl. 1820–1860)
Dates: Circa 1830–1835
Medium: Etching on paper
Plate Titles: Calice Renaissance (PL. 3) and Baptistère Renaissance (PL. 13)
Printer's Address: Imp. F. Chardon Aîné, 30 rue Hautefeuille, Paris
Plate Marks: Lower left: Composé, Dessiné et Gravé par Jacob Petit; Lower right: Imp. F. Chardon Aîné
Dimensions (framed): 22” H × 27.25” W
Framing: Custom light wood frames, beautifully matted, behind glass
About the Artist:
Jacob Petit—born Jacob Mordecai—was a prominent figure in 19th-century French decorative arts. Initially trained under the neoclassical master Antoine-Jean Gros, Petit’s early work included etchings and architectural drawings before he became widely celebrated for his porcelain creations. After working at the famed Sèvres Manufactory and traveling through Europe, Petit returned to France to establish porcelain workshops in Fontainebleau and Paris, which would become pivotal in the neo-Rococo revival.

These etchings reflect Petit's deep interest in architectural ornamentation, sacred vessels, and Renaissance artistry—elements he later integrated into his porcelain works. The Calice Renaissance and Baptistère Renaissance are among his most significant graphic works, linking his talents as a draftsman with his decorative innovations in porcelain ceramic design.

Historical Significance:
Petit's work bridged classical revivalism with decorative imagination, inspiring many contemporaries and successors in the decorative arts, including the Sèvres manufactory. The objects depicted in these prints—chalices, baptismal fonts, and liturgical vessels—mirror the sculptural elegance found in French marble pieces and ecclesiastical interiors of the period.

Condition:
Both etchings are in good antique condition, preserved under glass and housed in custom frames that complement the historical nature of the works. There is a ink mark in the upper left corner of Pl 3 CALICE RENAISSANCE, most likely present at the time of rendering the etching.

A rare opportunity to acquire a pair of highly decorative and historically significant etchings by one of the 19th century's most imaginative and influential artisans. See less