A Doccia white relief portrait of Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, (1717-1780), 1744

in profile to  sinister, a diadem in her hair and a pendant jewel pinned to the drapery on her right shoulder, the sides with acanthus scrolls and flowers modelled in the round, centred below by a shell flanked by scroll feet (some chips)

From the Demidoff Collection at Villa Pratolino, Florence
From the Collection of H.R.H. Prince Paul of Yugoslavia
Sotheby's London 5 July 1966, lot 15
Sotheby's London, 13 july 1976, lot 85

one chip to each side of border, other minor typical rim chips, chip at moulded border
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Recorded as having been made in 1744 by order of Count Carlo Ginori, founder of the Doccia factory, in homage to his sovereign. Maria Theresa's honeymoon was spent in Florence in 1736, and her Florentine sympathies were strengthened when her husband Francis of Lorraine succeeded to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany on the death of the last Medici, Gian Gaston, in 1737.

Only three examples of this relief are recorded, and none are identical. One, also in white, at the Doccia Museum differs in details of the drapery, while in the coloured example at the Victoria and Albert Museum the repairer has placed the crown beside the bust portrait instead of above. See illustrations by A. Biancalana,op.cit.,Florence, 2009,p.114 ; J. Winter, exhibition catalogue, Le Statue del Marchese Ginori, Florence, 2003N.22, pp.102-105 ; J. Kraftner, exhibition catalogue , Baroque Luxury Porcelain, Munich, 2005, n.10,P.209.

The Doccia factory also produced conjoined portraits of Maria Theresa and her husband who became the Holy Roman Emperor Francis in 1745 (one at the Doccia, the other in the Museo  Duca di Martina, Naples).