Two rare Vincennes glazed white figures of 'Le Chasseur de Lièvre' and 'Le Chasseur d'Oiseaux' circa 1750

Sale: The Property of a Nobleman, Christie's, London, October 28, 1963, lot 127 ('Le Chasseur d'oiseaux')
Sir John H. Plumb Collection, Cambridge

Le Chasseur de Lièvre: The tip of the left ear of the hare, which the hunter is holding in his right hand, is chipped away. There is a minuscule pinhead chip to the tip of his left big toe and two tiny flat chips to the edge of base in the back, one of which is glazed over. There are three pinhead chips to the edges of 'waves' on the back, which are difficult to spot. Le Chasseur d'Oiseaux: The head of the bird he is holding in his hands has been chipped away; there are residues of old restoration in the adjacent areas. The edges of his right toes have been broken off; residues of old restoration are evident. There are several short firing cracks running up from the edge of the base. Otherwise in good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Two similar figures are illustrated by Joanna Gwilt, Vincennes and Early Sèvres Porcelain from the Belvedere Collection, pp. 228 and 229, cat. 165 and 166, where related examples in the David Collection, Copenhagen, and the Musée Royal Mariemont, Belgium, are listed. The author notes that twenty-three examples listed as 'Le Chasseur d'oiseux', of which there are two versions, are mentioned in the manufactory's sale inventory for 1752 and illustrates the alternate model, fig. 166.1, suggesting that it was more likely intended as the mate for 'Le Chasseur de lièvre' rather than the present example.

A similar figure of 'Le Chasseur de lièvre' was sold at Sotheby's London, November 15, 1955, lot 109; one of 'Le Chasseur d'oiseaux' was sold at Sotheby's Geneva, May 10, 1988, lot 109; and examples of both, Property of W. J. Sainsbury, were sold at Sotheby's London, May 21, 1957, lot 154.