Manufacture De Sèvres For The Duke Of Doudeauville - Biscuit Medallion Of Baron Von Humboldt

Royal Manufactory of Sèvres
Medallion in hard porcelain biscuit
Dimensions : D. 12.5 (cm.)
Sèvres, circa 1829, 1830

Rare medallion depicting Baron Wilhelm von Humboldt in profile to the left and wearing the Order of the Black Eagle. This portrait is one of a series of portraits of crowned heads and influential figures made in circular medallions of various sizes by the Manufacture de Sèvres.

This portrait has the triple distinction of retaining its original frame, its commissioner's label and its Sèvres shop label. It was delivered for the Duc de Doudeauville on 14 June 1830, and is documented as such in the register of cash sales: "18 cameo medallions portraits of Kings of France, Princes and Princesses of their families" at 5F. each and 7 "idem." at 4F. each. Archives, Sèvres Vz 5 fol. 44 verso.

The second Duke of Doudeauville
Louis-François Sosthène I de la Rochefoucauld was the son of Ambroise Polycarpe, a close relative of the Bourbons and 1st Duke of the name. He was appointed Director of Arts in the King's household in August 1824 and then Aide de Camps in May 1825. A legitimist, he returned to private life under the July Monarchy.

Condition report: excellent condition, very rare condition of preservation.

Reference: see a similar model in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York from the collection of Mr and Mrs Samuel Kent, deposited in 1964.