The Suite de Vases was designed by Ennemond-Alexandre Petitot (1727-1801) and etched in 1764-5 by Benigno Bossi (1727-1792). Petitot’s compositions represent some of the most beautiful and imaginative neoclassical vase designs of the 18th century.

Petitot was a French architect, draughtsman and designer who began his training in Lyon before moving to the Royal Academy of Architecture in Paris. In 1745 he won the coveted Grand Prix and moved to Rome the following year to study at the French Academy. He remained in Italy and there developed a style that was influenced by both a decorative French aesthetic and an austere Italian classicism. In 1753, Petitot was appointed Court Architect to Philip, Duke of Parma (son-in-law of the king of France, Louis XV). He retained this role for the rest of his life.

Created during the height of Petitot’s popularity at the Court of Parma, the Suite is dedicated to the First Minister, Guillaume du Tillot. Petitot extensively redesigned many major buildings in Parma, and under du Tillot had been entrusted with the redevelopment of the Ducal Park. Three of the simpler vase designs were created in marble by the sculptor Jean-Baptiste Boudard (1710–1768) for the park. The Suite de Vases was re-issued and copied many times, both in print and in small-scale decorative stoneware.