Louis François Aubry

This lot contains ivory. Due to recent changes in the laws of many countries (e.g. US, France) Sotheby’s recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid. For example, US regulations restrict the import of elephant ivory and prohibit the import of African elephant ivory. Please note that Sotheby’s will not assist buyers with CITES licence applications where a buyer elects to either collect or arrange their own shipping, nor will Sotheby’s assist with the international movement of ivory by air, either as freight or through hand carry. Sotheby’s shipping will only assist in shipping the lot to either domestic UK or EU destinations, where delivery is made by road transport. A buyer’s inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or sale cancellation.

Madame Bléhaut, Annonay;
sale, Sotheby's, Geneva, 6 May 1981, lot 171;
sale, London, Christie's, 7 December 2004, lot 349;
where acquired by Dr Erika Pohl-Ströher (1919-2016)

The sitter is wearing two extremely ephemeral orders; the Order of the Crown of Westphalia was founded by Napoléon's brother Jérôme, King of Westphalia, on 25 December 1809. Wearing this order was soon prohibited, in Electoral Hesse from 31 December 1813 and in Prussia from 26 February 1815 onward.