A soft-paste porcelain figurine from Sèvres depicting a schoolteacher, circa 1762

A group sculpture in soft-paste porcelain from Sèvres depicting “The Schoolmaster”: a priest-tutor is about to correct one of his students while a second student reads a book.
Model based on a work by Etienne-Maurice Falconet (1716–1791), after a drawing by François Boucher* (1703–1770).
“O” mark engraved on the back.
Circa 1762, 18th century.
Dimensions: Height: 22 cm; Width: 21 cm; Depth: 14 cm.
Chip at the edge of the garment draping over the bench at the back of the group; small chips on both baskets; the left foot of the girl about to be corrected; and a small chip on the book.
See also: A 1762 example is held at the Cité de la Céramique in Sèvres (inv. MNC20065), and another is held at the Metropolitan Museum in New York (inv. 54.147.22).
*Boucher’s works served as a source of inspiration and were listed under the name “Boucher children” in the sales records of the Sèvres porcelain manufactory.