An important Sèvres biscuit porcelain bust of King Louis XV of France, circa 1766-73

modelled by Jean-Jacques Bachelier, the monarch looking slightly to the left, wearing a cuirass covered by draped fabric pinned with the order of Saint Esprit, upon a waisted socle base, incised JB monogram,

The bust is in good condition. There is a minute shallow chip to the left edge of the cuirass which may have occurred during manufacture.
"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."

The JB monogram belongs to Jean-Jacques Bachelier, director of the atelier de sculpture at Vincennes and Sèvres from 1751-57 and again in 1760-1773

The present model is after a marble bust of King Louis XV by Jean-Baptiste II Lemoyne (1704–1778). The marble was shown at the 1757 salon and was delivered in the same year to the Chateau de Champs. From July 1757 the Marquise de Pompadour had began leasing the chateau from the Duc de La Vallière for an annual 12,000 livres and spent a further 200,000 livres renovating the chateau. However due to the King’s dislike of the Chateau, the Marquise left it in January 1759. The bust is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession number: 41.100.244. Another example by Bachelier is in the collection of the Musée Lambinet, Versailles, another was sold at Christies, 20 May 2008, lot 214.  A slightly varying model was also produced by Étienne Maurice Falconet, an example was sold at Christies, 30 May 2012, lot 599.