- 681
A Biscuit Porcelain Bust of Alexander I, Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory, early 19th century
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- porcelain
- height: 34cm, 13 3/8 in.
after a model by Louis Simon Boizot, wearing a uniform, raised on a midnight blue porcelain socle with gild bands, the bust incised in Latin A.B/9 dec/8 nº2, A.L., stamped Sèvres
Catalogue Note
Napoleon and Alexander I signed the Peace Treaty of Tilsit on 7th July 1807. At the time lavish presents were exchanged between the two Emperors. According to the Sèvres manufactory records, Boizot provided a design of a bust of Alexander I to be produced in porcelain after a miniature marble bust of the Tsar in marble.
After the Napoleonic War Alexander I visited the manufactory as part of his celebrated trip to Paris as head of the Russian Army in 1812. During this visit he engaged a number of painters and gilders to work at the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory in St. Petersburg. This bust was most probably produced to commemorate one of these State Visits.