'Nef-Shaped Cup, mid-1500s. Saint-Porchaire or Paris, France. Private collection. Paul-David Young/Spektra Imaging LLC.

CHICAGO - Exquisitely crafted and shrouded in mystery, Saint-Porchaire ceramics are among the rarest treasures of the French Renaissance.

Only around 70 examples are known to exist worldwide, and each one dazzles and intrigues with its refined and delicate modeling and astonishingly intricate decoration. Created between about 1520 and 1570 and closely associated with the royal courts of François I and Henri II, these extraordinary works bear the emblems of power, prestige, and desire—including the interlaced cipher of Henri II and his famed mistress, Diane de Poitiers.

Saint-Porchaire ceramics embody the sophistication and inventive spirit of Renaissance court culture. Fashioned from lead-glazed earthenware, their sculptural forms echo precious metalwork, while their ornamental patterns draw inspiration from textiles, bookbinding, and other luxury arts. Together, they express a unique and daring artistry, playful elegance, and refined taste at the height of French royal patronage.

Beginning in March, the Art Institute will present an exceptional group of Saint-Porchaire ceramics from a private collection—most on public view for the first time since the late 1800s—in the Deering Family Galleries of Medieval and Renaissance Art, Arms, and Armor. These rare works will be shown alongside other notable examples of French Renaissance ceramics drawn from the Art Institute’s collection, including several recent acquisitions.

Installed in the intimate James W. and Marilynn Alsdorf Gallery, this focused presentation invites close encounters with these remarkable jewel-like objects, while its placement within the broader context of the Deering Family Galleries highlights the rich dialogue between ceramics and the metalwork, textiles, and decorative arts that flourished during the Renaissance.

This temporary installation is curated by the Applied Art’s of Europe’s Christopher Maxwell, Chair and Eloise W. Martin Curator; Jonathan Tavares, Amy and Paul Carbone Curator; and Mairead Horton, Samuel and M. Patricia Grober Assistant Curator.

Mar 25–Nov 15, 2026

Nef-Shaped Cup, mid-1500s. Saint-Porchaire or Paris, France. Private collection. © Paul-David Young/Spektra Imaging LLC.

Interior of nef-shaped cup, with the royal arms of France, mid-1500s. Saint-Porchaire or Paris, France. Private collection © Paul-David Young/Spektra Imaging LLC.

Ewer, mid-1500s, Saint-Porchaire or Paris, France. Private collection. © Paul-David Young/Spektra Imaging LLC.

Covered Cup, mid-1500s, Saint-Porchaire or Paris, France. Private collection. © Paul-David Young/Spektra Imaging LLC.

Interior of covered cup, with the emblem of François I, mid-1500s, Saint-Porchaire or Paris, France. Private collection © Paul-David Young/Spektra Imaging LLC.

Triangular Saltcellar, mid-1500s, Saint-Porchaire or Paris, France. Private collection. © Paul-David Young/Spektra Imaging LLC.

Top of triangular saltcellar, with the emblem of Diane de Poitiers, mid-1500s, Saint-Porchaire or Paris, France. Private collection. © Paul-David Young/Spektra Imaging LLC.

Gondola Cup with a Figure of Spring, 1600-50. Possibly after a model by Guillaume Dupré; Possibly the workshop of Claude Bertélemy, Fontainebleau or Avon, France. Purchased with funds provided by Laurie V. Bay in honor of James N. Bay, 2025.268 © Art Institute of Chicago