Each with a pale blue border with scrolling gilt leafy foliage, the centers with cameo portraits of Max. de Bethune Duc de Sully, Étienne Bonnot de Condillac and Jean de la Quintinie, in Greek key and foliate borders, further descriptions of each 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, 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.