A Sèvres plate from the 'Service Marly Rouge', circa 1809

painted with a central butterfly against a pale blue ground within a floral wreath reserved on a gold ground, the rim with a gilt foliate border on a tomato-red ground, M.Imp.le/ de Sevres/ 1809' mark stencilled in iron-red, gilder's mark 4 j v., incised L 0Z. 

This plate is in overall good condition, there is small area of re touching to the red enamel on the rim at 11 o'clock.
"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."

This plate comes from a service made for the use of Napoleon I that was delivered to Château de Fontainebleau in October 1809, shortly before the Emperor arrived for a one month stay. The service contained amongst shapes, 180 plates. The date of delivery of this service comes at a significant point in the Napoleonic Wars. On 14th October 1809, the Treaty of Vienna was signed by French and Austrian representatives - that brought an end to Napoleon's Austrian campaign, two days after a young German student Frederick Staps attempted to assassinate him. On the 15th October, the destruction of Vienna's fortifications began, and by the16th Napoleon had left Schönbrunn Palace for Paris before arriving at Fontainebleau on 26th October.

It is interesting to note the use of the French flag in the wings of the Butterfly. Another plate from this service decorated with a butterfly with hidden French flags was sold at Bonhams on 3 December 2008, lot 371. The use of the French flag on Sèvres porcelain is a feature which occurs more often on porcelain after the French Revolution, a two handled cup with a saucer, gobelet étrusque et sa soucoupe, at the early date of 1793 is decorated with ribbons of the French flag colours, from the Dimitri Mavrommatis collection, sold at Sotheby's London, 8 July 2008, lot 67. For a discussion on this service see Perrin Khelissa, 2007 cat.no. 64. Other examples are illustrated by Wittwer, 2007, pp. 254ff., and Nouvel-Kammerer 2008, p. 262, cat. no. 165.