Louis XVI Bisque Musicians by Locre and Russinger

$2,853.50per set

About

Late 18th century pair of bisque figurines. The set is very intricately sculpted, depicting two musicians holding instruments and leaning against trees with instruments at their feet. Marked underside: two crossed, flaming torches and W. Locre and Russinger’s porcelain factory. circa 1780 Dim: W: 3,5 in – D: 3,5in – H: 7,9in. Dim: L:9cm, P:9cm, H:20cm. The Locre and Russinger porcelain factory was one of the many factories that set up in Paris during the final quarter of the 18th century. Jean-Baptiste Locre was a businessman who invested his fortune in building the factory at La Courtille. In 1772 he hired Laurentius Russinger, a porcelain specialist and sculptor who had worked at the Hochst factory. In 1777, Locre promoted Russinger to manager. By the late 1760s, the kind of clay (kaolin) used to make glassy Meissen-style porcelain had been discovered in France at Saint-Yrieux, near Limoges. This clay was used by Russinger to produce a hard-paste porcelain similar to Meissen that could withstand boiling water. This was an important selling point for the factory’s wares that they used in their advertisements. The factory also adopted the mark of a pair of crossed, flaming torches, reminiscent of Meissen’s crossed swords mark. Sometimes known as “La Courtille” after it's location in Paris, the factory is also sometimes referred to as Locre, Russinger, and Pouyat. Francois Pouyat was a porcelain dealer in Limoges who supplied the clay. He became one of it's partners, then he and his three sons took over. According to Regine Plinval de Guillebon, by 1779 this factory ranked among the three most important porcelain works in Paris, the others being Rue Thiroux and Clignancourt. They made the same type of objects as the famous (but much more expensive) Se`vres factory: A wide range of table and tea wares as well as useful items such as writing sets, toiletry items, and tobacco. They used a variety of painted and gilded decorations, ranging from simple floral sprigs to elaborate Etruscan, neoclassical, and other fashionable designs. The factory excelled in biscuit sculpture, which is not surprising given that this was Russinger’s specialty. They produced many different mythological, allegorical, and family groups, as well as individual subjects. Bibliography: Regine de Plinval de Guillebon, Les biscuits de Porcelaine de Paris XVIIIe-XIXe sie`cle, Paris, Editions Faton, 2012, pp. 266-273.

Details

Creator
Locré & Russinger's Factory 1 (Maker)
Dimensions
Height: 7.88 in. (20 cm)Diameter: 3.55 in. (9 cm)
Sold As
Set of 2
Style
Louis XVI (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques
Porcelain
Place of Origin
France
Period
Late 18th Century
Date of Manufacture
circa 1780
Condition
Wear consistent with age and use. Very small chips.
Seller Location
Paris, FR
Reference Number
Seller: 15631stDibs: LU2065316801072
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Shipping & Returns

Shipping
Rates vary by destination and complexity. We recommend this shipping type based on item size, type and fragility.
Estimated Customs Duties & Taxes to the Continental US: $0.
Ships From: Montesson, France
Return Policy
A return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.