A very rare Vincennes glazed white group of Andromeda and the sea monster circa 1752

Sale: Christie's, London, February 26, 1963, lot 17
Sale: Christie's, London, March 14, 1967, lot 26
Sale: The Hector Binney Collection, Sotheby's, London, December 5, 1989, lot 69
Winifred Williams, London

There are occasional typical firing tears overall. Andromeda's left hand has been broken off and restored back with a made-up replacement. Her right hand is also restored, possibly with a made-up piece; however it cannot be determined with certainty. There is an approximate 1-inch discolored haircrack running around her neck, which is visible in the catalogue illustration. There are additionally three minuscule, pinhead chips to the beads on her hair near her forehead. There is an approximate 1 1/2-inch long haircrack running from the right side of her mid body across her belly and stopping under her right arm. There is a firing fault right above her right knee which has been obscured by applied leaves and florettes, which have occasional minor chips to the edges. There are overall some minor chips to the edges of the applied leaves. There is a pinhead chip to her left knee, which is difficult to spot. There is a short and fine haircrack running around her right ankle below the cuff. The dolphin's tongue and fin are restored, possibly covering chips. There are several minuscule chips to the edges of his teeth. There is a 1/2-inch area with chipping and another tiny chip to the outer edge of his tail. There are further two minuscule pinhead chips to the edges of the waves on the front that are difficult to detect.
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.

Tamara Préaud cites the inventory records from October 1752, Porcelaines de Vincennes, Les Origines de Sevres, p. 150: 'quatre Andromède à 36 livres au magasin de vent. Une fut vendue le 1er juillet 1761 pour 42 livres' [four Andromeda for 36 livres to the retail store. One sold on June 1, 1761 for 42 livres.] Although it is not clear from this entry whether the groups are in glazed or are in biscuit form, it is possible that the present example corresponds to one of the examples stated in the inventory. The present group appears to be the only extant example of this model.

Modelled after François Lemoyne's (1688-1737) painting, Perseus and Andromeda (1723) in the Wallace Collection, London; the group depicts the mythological story from Ovid's Metamorphoses, IV, pp 663-752: Andromeda is offered as a sacrifice to the sea monster Cetus, sent by Neptune, who wants to take his revenge for Andromeda's mother's, Cassiopeia's, vanity for her and Andromeda's beauty. Perseus slays the sea monster to save Andromeda and subsequently marries her. 
Lemoyne's painting was previously in the collection of Etienne-Michel Bouret (1710-1777), who was a shareholder in the Vincennes manufactory. Rosalind Savill mentions in The Wallace Collection, Catalogue of Sèvres Porcelain, p. 971, that Bouret probably allowed Vincennes to copy Lemoyne's painting, which is also depicted on a Vincennes wine cooler, now in British Museum, London, acquisition number MCN13130.