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Lot Essay
Cf. Emile Bourgeois, Le Biscuit de Sèvres (1909), p. 46, no. 8.
The incised Mas the mark is that of Jean Mascaret, recorded at Sèvres as a sculptor 1806-1848.
The present model of Africa is one from a set of four emblematic of the four corners of the World acquired by George IV of England soon after he ascended the throne in 1821. Her Majesty the Queen retains the figure of Europe. Asia and America are missing.
The copy of the Sèvres ledger entry below [fig. 1] lists the set as the first item under a heading A S M L Roi d'Angleterre [To his Majesty the King of England] at a cost of 144 livres per figure for a total of 576 livres. Looking through the roster of his other purchases, including a biscuit group of Ganymede and Hebe, the Continents appear to be the most expensive by far. As the next entry in the ledger is the listing of sales at the annual selling exposition held at the Louvre between 26 December 1821 and 7 January 1822, the king's purchases must have been made earlier in 1821.
The incised Mas the mark is that of Jean Mascaret, recorded at Sèvres as a sculptor 1806-1848.
The present model of Africa is one from a set of four emblematic of the four corners of the World acquired by George IV of England soon after he ascended the throne in 1821. Her Majesty the Queen retains the figure of Europe. Asia and America are missing.
The copy of the Sèvres ledger entry below [fig. 1] lists the set as the first item under a heading A S M L Roi d'Angleterre [To his Majesty the King of England] at a cost of 144 livres per figure for a total of 576 livres. Looking through the roster of his other purchases, including a biscuit group of Ganymede and Hebe, the Continents appear to be the most expensive by far. As the next entry in the ledger is the listing of sales at the annual selling exposition held at the Louvre between 26 December 1821 and 7 January 1822, the king's purchases must have been made earlier in 1821.