A PAIR OF SÈVRES GROUPS L'ORACLE AND LA BERGÈRE DES ALPES

Details

A PAIR OF SÈVRES GROUPS L'ORACLE AND LA BERGÈRE DES ALPES
LATE 18TH CENTURY, ONE INCISED WITH A TREFOIL

With a seated girl tying her kneeling companion's cravat, a basket of ribbons at her feet and with a youth reclining beside a seated shepherdess and holding her right hand in his, a lamb at her feet (handle of basket missing; the second with damage to left hand of girl, ear of lamb, bow of his garter and bow on the base)--about 5¾in. (14.5cm.) high (2)

Literature

Ruth Berges, Collector's Choice, New York, 1967, pl. 260

Lot Essay

First modelled in 1766 by Falconet, the subject l'Oracle was a play Sainte Foix in which the charming scene of tying the cravat was played in 1748 by Madame de Pompadour and the duc de Nivernais before the King. The two characters are called Alcindor and Lucinda.

La bergère des Alpes is from a play by Marmontel. Another example of La Bergère des Alpes was in the Sainsbury collection, sold Sotheby's London, May 5, 1970, lot 38.

The character were called Fonrose and Adelaide. The pair of groups sold for 120 livres.