A rare pair of Vincennes glazed white figures of 'Le Fleure' and 'La Näide' circa 1750

Sale: Property of a Nobleman, Christie's, London, October 28, 1963, lot 128 ('Le Näide')
Winifred Williams, London
Sale: Sotheby's, London, July 13, 1976, lots 16 and 17 (Le Fleure' and 'La Näide')

Le Fleure: There are some typical occasional firing tears overall. Please note that an element, most probably a candleholder, that would have been resting on the rock behind his right hand, is lacking. There are some minor and occasional chips to the tips of the applied leaves and florettes as well as some chipping to the edges of the water running down from the urn, covering an area measuring approximately 1 inch on the lower end of the water. There is a 1/4-inch chip to the edge of the rock right in front of the point where water meets the base. There are additionally two pinhead chips to the lower end of his drapery resting on the rock beneath his left leg. La Näide: There are some very minor typical occasional firing tears overall.The edge of one of the extremities on the rockwork in the back appears to have been chipped or ground down; the exact length of the broken edge cannot be determined. There is another tiny chip to the edge of another extremity on the rockwork. There are some minor and occasional chips to the edges of the leaves between her feet. There is a minuscule pinhead chip to the edge of one "wave" upon which her left hand is resting and another minuscule flat chip to the side of her right hand resting on the urn. There is an abrasion-like tiny chip to the edge of the water flowing out of the urn.
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.

While a number of comparable examples of 'La Näide' exist, figures of 'Le Fleure' appear to be more rare. A similar figure of 'La Näide' is illustrated by Joanna Gwilt, Vincennes and Early Sèvres Porcelain in the Belvedere Collection', p. 217, cat.156, where a closely related figure is illustrated on p. 216, cat 155, along with an illustration of a drawing by François Boucher (1703-70) that possibly provides a source for the figure. Other examples of 'La Näide' were sold at Christies London, October 28, 1963, lot 128; Sotheby's London, November 26, 1963, lot 80; Christie's London, October 27, 1973, lot 162; Christie's London, June 30, 1986, lot 195; and Sotheby's London, October 16, 1990, lot 16.