Offered by GSLR Antiques
Important biscuit group, mythological scene “The Birth of Bacchus”, representing the god Hermes, clearly identifiable by his helmet, his winged feet and his caduceus sceptre, entrusting the young Bacchus to the three nymphs living on Mount Nysa. Royal Manufacture of Sèvres, circa 1783–1785.
The model was created by Louis-Simon Boizot in 1783 for the Royal Manufacture of Sèvres. Our biscuit is an 18th century production, the original production which was reissued by Sèvres in the 19th century, but only by Sèvres.
From a mythological point of view, Bacchus (Dionysus among the Greeks) is a god born in complex circumstances:
He is the son of Jupiter/Zeus and the mortal Semele. Hera, jealous, causes the death of Semele. Zeus saves the child by sewing him into his thigh until term. At his birth, the child is immediately threatened by the anger of Hera. Zeus must therefore hide him.
Mercury / Hermes is the messenger of the gods, but also the one who protects passages, transitions and difficult births. In this myth, he receives an essential mission: to remove the newborn from the vengeance of Hera and entrust him to safe and discreet nurses. To do this, he carries the child to a distant and mysterious place: Mount Nysa. The Nymphs take the child under their care and feed him with goat’s milk.
Ideal to complete an 18th century decoration; these decorative objects are typical of this period, to be placed on a commode or a fireplace in addition to a clock or as a centerpiece in the centre of a table for a refined dinner. It is a piece decorated on all sides, intended to be seen from all angles in the centre of a table for example or with its back to a mirror. It is of large format.
A very large number of biscuit groups were produced throughout the 19th century, copying Sèvres. Our group is an authentic piece from the very prestigious manufacture, the original 18th century production. Very fine representation in accordance with the standards of perfection of Sèvres, with numerous carefully executed details: expression of the faces, details of the garments.
Very good overall condition, small restorations (one wing of Mercury’s foot redone, the sceptre reglued, otherwise intact).
The Domaine de Sceaux presents a similar group, where the sceptre and the wings on the helmet and the feet are missing; our piece is in better condition.
The Birth of Bacchus is also exhibited in major international museums such as the Metropolitan Museum in New York.
Dimensions: 30 × 24 cm
Height: 34 cm
