Suite of Vases: Plate 15 - Jacques François Saly

An eighteenth-century etching by Jacques François Saly, Plate 15 from his 'Suite de vases' series, featuring a decorative vessel adorned with birds and a human mask.

This etching is Plate 15 from the series 'Suite de vases', published by Jacques François Saly in 1746. Saly, a French sculptor and etcher, produced these designs during his time in Rome, where he studied the classical forms that informed his later career. The series demonstrates the imaginative capacity of the Rococo period, moving beyond strict archaeological accuracy to embrace ornamental excess and whimsical invention.

The central vessel features a fluted neck and a body adorned with a human mask at its base. Two birds, likely owls, perch on either side of the rim, their plumage rendered with fine, rhythmic lines. The composition balances the structural requirements of a vase with the decorative motifs characteristic of the mid-eighteenth century. Saly employs a variety of hatching techniques to create volume and texture, particularly in the shading of the birds and the facial features of the mask. The background consists of horizontal lines, a common convention in eighteenth-century printmaking to provide a neutral field for the subject.

Saly's work reflects the period's interest in the 'goût pittoresque', where naturalistic elements merge with architectural forms. The vase is not a functional object but a conceptual design intended to inspire craftsmen and collectors. The precision of the etching process allows for the fine details in the feathers and the facial expression to remain clear. This print provides a view into the creative process of a sculptor who viewed the decorative arts as a primary field for experimentation. The plate number 15 is visible in the lower right corner, while the artist's signature, 'J. Saly Inv. et Sculp.', appears at the bottom, confirming his role as both the designer and the printmaker.