Pieces from the Cameo Service 1778-1779 France, Sevres Porcelain Factory This dinner, dessert, tea and coffee service for 60 people originally consisted of more than 700 pieces. It was commissioned by Catherine II, and on her instruction was decorated with representations of cameos on themes from Greek and Roman history and mythology. Although the factory had already mastered the production of hard-paste porcelain, the service was made of soft-paste, as the turquoise ground - the secret of which was known only to the modellers and painters of Sevres - could only be made of this material.