A Sèvres biscuit porcelain bust of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, circa 1786-88

probably after a model by Louis Simon Boizot, the Queen modelled with her head turned slightly to her right, with flowing robes draped a la grec around her shoulders, upon an integral waisted square socle base,

The Property of the late Mrs. E. J. Blackwell, sold by order of the executors and the property of the Trustees of the T. A. W. Blackwell Trust, Christie's London, 14th December 2000, lot 41.

Related Literature
G. Lechevallier-Chevignard and M. Savreux, Manufacture Nationales - Le Biscuit de Sevres, Paris, 1923, pl. 41, no. 412;
T. Picquenard, Louis-Simon Boizot (1743-1809) Sculpteur du roi et directeur de l'atelier de sculpture à la Manufacture de Sèvres, exh. cat., Musée Lambinet, Versailles, October 2001-February 2002, pp. 100-101;
G. de Bellaigue, French Porcelain in the Collection of Her Majesty the Queen: Vol. III, London, 2010, pp. 1086-87, no. 308.

The overall condition of the bust is good. There is some typical small scattered firing cracks and surface scratching. The bust could benefit from a light cleaning.
"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."

Biscuit porcelain busts of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette of France were produced throughout their time on the throne. The present bust which portrays the Queen towards the untimely end of her reign was probably modelled by the sculptor Louis-Simon Boizot to serve as the companion to his bust of Louis XVI. The rationale for attributing the model to Boizot lies in the marked similarities this model has with the portrait of the Queen executed by Boizot for the French Foreign Ministry in 1781. The companion bust of Louis XVI was certainly made after a portrait by Boizot. This is documented by the request made by Hettlinger, the inspector of works at Sèvres, to the Comte d'Angiviller, for permission to reproduce the bust of the King which he had admired (in plaster) in Boizot's studio.¹ 

A example of this bust and the companion bust Louis XVI, both mounted on hard-paste beau-bleu bases are in the collection of HRH Queen Elizabeth II. An example identical to the present bust is in the Musée national de Céramique de Sèvres, illustrated and discussed in the exhibition Louis-Simon Boizot catalogue, op. cit., 2002, pp. 100-101. A companion bust of Louis XVI from the collection of Hanns and Elisabeth Weinberg and the Antique Company of New York was sold at Sotheby's New York, 10-11th November 2006, lot 212.

_{1. Referenced by de Bellaigue, 2010, pp. 1084-85, note. 5.}