Each with a pale blue border with scrolling gilt leafy foliage, the centers with cameo portraits of François Chevert, J.B. Poquelin de Moliére and A.R. Jacques Turgot in Greek key and foliate borders, a further description of the figure on the reverse
9⁵⁄₈ in. (24.4 cm.) diameter

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Lot Essay

The present plates are from a dessert service designed in 1835 according to a program set out by the then director of the factory, Alexandre Brongniart; each plate painted as a cameo with the portrait of a French man of letters, with the reverse inscribed with his full name, place and date of birth. Portraying learned men, philosophers, statesmen, etc., the service included 212 plates, 2 baskets, 2 sugar-bowls, and 2 tiered cake stands. Completed in 1849, it was delivered to the Minister of Education in July 1851. Five plates from this service were sold at Christie's, New York, 29-30 November 2012, lot 228.