A PARIS PARCEL BISCUIT GILT WHITE ENCRIER

CIRCA 1810, PERHAPS DAGOTY

Details

A PARIS PARCEL BISCUIT GILT WHITE ENCRIER
Circa 1810, perhaps Dagoty
Modelled as Cupid with a garland of flowers seated on rockwork beside an inkwell formed as a panier and an oval basketweave basket, a quill emplacement at his right, the oval stand inscribed with a couplet by Voltaire, Qui que tu sois, voici ton maître il'est, le fût, ou le doit être., on four gilt paw feet
6in. (15.2cm.) high

Lot Essay

See Regine de Plinval de Guillebon, Paris Porcelain 1770-1850, no. 122 for a Dagoty inkwell of similar type; also see The Flahaut Collection; Christie's, London, 12 June 1995, lot 564 (part) for a similar example
The inscribed verse by Voltaire can also be found on Sèvres models of Cupid and Psyche, circa 1760. Cupid's couplet which translates as 'Whoe'er thou art, thy master see/He is, or was, or ought be' is answered by Psyche, Non, pas plus que tu n'est mon maître/Tu l'es, le fûs ou le dois être, 'My master thou art not, nor has been/As master of mine shalt ne'er be seen'.

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