Mary Helen McCoy Fine Antiques has this superb example of a French, late 19th century, Sèvres biscuit bust, “Marceau," atop a blue ground with gold porcelain base. The bust is of François Séverin Marceau-Desgraviers. The mark on the back base of the biscuit is the word, “Sevres," enclosed in an oval ring. This mark was used from 1860-1899.
The mark on the inside of the blue porcelain base is a red circle with the words in red around the inside of the circle manufacture nationale. The words, “Doré a Sevres”, are centered. This mark was used from 1872-1899.
About François Séverin Marceau-Desgraviers
Born at Chartres, François Séverin Marceau-Desgraviers (1769-1796) was a French general of the revolutionary wars.
During the winter of 1793-1794, Marceau was stationed in Paris when he accepted a command in the army under Jean Baptiste Jourdan alongside Kléber and participated in the various battles near Charleroi. He took part in the 1795-1796 campaign with armies of the Sampre and Meuse and distinguished himself alongside Kléber.
Marceau fought desperately during an invasion of Germany which ended in disaster. He received a mortal wound and died two days later on September 19, 1796 at only 27 years old. The Austrians competed with Marceau’s own countrymen to honor the dead general. His body was burned and the ashes placed under a pyramid in Koblenz designed by Kléber. They were transferred to the Panthéon in 1889.
Marceau was immortalized in Byron’s “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage."
Vetted Antique Shows/Fairs
The International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show, NY, NY, 2008
Provenance
Sèvres, France Private Collection, Bordeaux, France
Mary Helen McCoy Fine Antiques, Charleston, SC
Mary Helen McCoy consults privately in the King Street Antique District of Charleston. To see this piece and others, call Mary Helen at 843.302.6115 for a private viewing.
Mary Helen McCoy is a member of the Confédération Internationale des Négociants en Oeuvres d'Art (CINOA).
