An endearing image of doomed French Queen Marie Antoinette emerges in this handsome Sevres bisque sculpture. Positioned atop Sevres characteristic hand-gilded, blue ground base, this bust shows the queen in simple dress, crowned only by a flower-laden straw hat. Bisque porcelain wares such as this were extremely popular during the mid-1700s, especially in France, where manufactories like Sèvres created busts and medallion portraits of their greatest figures. This delicate material was used to its best advantage by Josiah Wedgwood, with his masterpiece, jasperware. Superb in detail and artistry, this elegant piece reflects both the refinement of its subject and the fineness of its medium. Excellent condition.

Circa 1800