Madame La Princesse Lamballe Antique French Bust, 19th century

  

Madame La Princesse Lamballe - Bust. Magnificent Bust of French Royalty - Dimensions are ; 24 1/4" high , 13" wide 8 3/4" deep with a base diameter of 7 3/4". Produced in heavy plaster and painted to appear to be toned terra cotta.

This beautifully fine bust is from the workshops of The Louvre Museum (so marked on the underside back). It was produced in 1860 and has exquisitely toned with age. It is a bust of Marie Therese Louise, of the House of Savoie Carignano, cadet branch of the House of Savoy. At 27 she married Louis Alexandre Bourbon Penthievre, Prince of Lamballe, heir to the greatest fortune in all of France. A close friend of the new Queen of France, Marie Antoinette, she was appointed Superintendent of the Queens Household. She was supplanted in this role by the Duchess de Polignac, yet remained fiercely loyal to her Queen which cost her her life in the French Revolution. Arrested August 10, 1792 she was confined to le Force prison and was tried and executed on Sept 2, 1792 by guillotine. This bust is in superb condition with only one defect, a chip on the very bottom tip of one of the curls of her hair on the back (see photos).

As we have acquired it at a very good price we are offering it here, in its original form and finish for quite the reasonable sum, passing on that savings to you. This is a rare piece in such fine condition and at a phenomenal price. This piece will be professionally packed, crated and insured by the carrier.