
Oliver Cornish
Sale Coordinator for Furniture, Sculpture, Rugs & Tapestries
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Sold for £4,864 inc. premium
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Sale Coordinator for Furniture, Sculpture, Rugs & Tapestries

Head of Department
The offered lot is derived from an original plaster by Chaudet depicting arguably France's most famous and influential historical figure in the guise of a Roman dignitary. Originally dating from 1799, the sculptor depicted Napoleon with his plain shoulders tapering to a classically inspired 'herm' form base. The first marble version of this bust was completed by Chaudet in 1804 and further copies were subsequently made in quantity in Carrara marble between circa 1807 and 1809. Ordered by Napoleon's sister Elisa Baciocchi, who had been presented the principality of Lucca and Massa Carrara by her brother to be displayed in public buildings, the number of these busts made was estimated to be in the region of approximately 1200 although many of these marbles were subsequently destroyed after Napoleon's defeat. From 1805, copies of this same bust in three sizes were also famously made in Sevres biscuit porcelain.
A bronze variant of this widely disseminated official portrait dating from after 1811 depicts the semi-clad Napoleon with the addition of a cross belt and military ornaments to the chest and is in the manner of a further fully modelled plaster bust of the statesman and warrior. This bust is however raised on a socle base and features a different handling of the face and features. The distinctive belt and ornaments were also added to the Sevres biscuit porcelain cast busts of Napoleon on herm bases which were first introduced in 1811.