18th Century French Soft-Paste Porcelain Sweetmeat Tray monkey hand-painted in opaque gouache with

hand-painted in opaque gouache with expressive brushwork and thoughtful attention to the animal’s character

it offers a tactile reminder of tournament play before the digital age

A charming nod to equestrian tradition

measuring 10” x 13

18th Century French Soft-Paste Porcelain Sweetmeat Tray monkey hand-painted in opaque gouache withThis elegant porcelain tray dates to the mid 18th century and was likely part of a dessert service used during the fashionable sweetmeat course of European dining. In the 1700s, sweetmeats did not refer to meat at all, but to delicacies such as candied fruits, sugared almonds, and small confections presented after the main meal. Pieces like this would have been placed on the table to hold these treats as guests lingered over conversation. The tray is