Bidspirit auction | Pair Famille Verte French Courtier

Pair Famille Verte French Courtier Figures - Rare pair of Chinese export porcelain famille verte biscuit glazed figures of a European couple, Kangxi ca. 1700-15. The male figure modeled with long curly hair and his seated female companion in colorful robes with hair high 'a la Fontanges.' Provenance: Christie's, London, ”Fine Chinese Export Ceramics and Works of Art, ” 9 May 1994, Lot 9 (featured on cover of catalog); The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff. Reference: Sargent, ”The Copeland Collection, ” pg. 104-7, nos. 48 & 49. Howard & Ayers, ”China for the West, ” pg. 580-1, no. 601. Lot Essay: The clothing these figures wear resembles that of the French court ca. 1700 and indeed the male figure is often referred to as ”the Dauphin.” Possibly based on French fashion engravings by Nicolas and Robert Bonnart or others, these figures are possibly based on those of the royal family. The male figure is sometimes identified as Louis XIV while his female companion has been variously referred as as Madame de Maintenon, Madame de Montespan, or Madame de Mainfloron. The attribution to Louis XIV is generally attributed to the baton the male wields (lacking here) which was sometimes interpreted by Chinese makers as a scroll. Overall the set belongs to a series of five which have been loosely described as ”Louis XIV and his Family.” Howard & Ayers mention a rare set of five held in the collection of Musee National Adrien Dubouche at Limoges. Howard & Ayers also mention the possibility that these represent Dutch figures, though the authors disagree with this, but concede they may have been ordered from Holland rather than from France. (Male figure) Height: 9 3/4 in x width: 6 1/4 in x depth: 3 in. (Female figure) Height: 9 in x width: 4 1/4 in x depth: 2 3/4 in. Condition: To the male figure, there are signs of restoration to the figure's left arm and sleeve, to where the figure's right arm attaches to the sleeve, and along the figure's neck, particularly along the front right side of the neck. There are additional signs of restoration along the lower front portion of the figure's robe, primarily below the figure's left sleeve, to the yellow panel along the lower right front side of the figure's robe, and along the lower portion of the rock structure behind the figure, where there are areas of inpainting that fluoresce under UV light. There is a repaired break to the figure's third and fourth fingers along the left hand. There is a possible repaired crack along the figure's left shoulder that extends horizontally along the figure's sleeve, measuring approximately 2 inches. A few small scattered chips, primarily along the extreme edges of the figure's clothing and along the rock structure. To the female figure, each of the hands has been restored, particularly where the hands attach to the sleeves. There is a rounded firing flaw, or possibly a small loss, along the interior of the right sleeve near the figure's wrist. There are possible signs of restoration along the lower extreme edge of the figure, where the figure attaches to the base; these areas fluoresce slightly under UV light. There is a linear firing flaw, or possibly a curved crack, along the base, which encircles the figure's left shoe. To each of the figures, there are rounded and linear firing flaws. There is light crazing to the glaze. Scattered losses to the glaze, particularly along the shoes. Fleabite to small-sized chips along the underside.