Rare Antique 1868 Jean Gille / Baury Bisque Porcelain Bust of Napoleon III For Sale
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Rare Antique 1868 Jean Gille / Baury Bisque Porcelain Bust of Napoleon III:
$225.00
Discover an extraordinary, piece of 19th-century French ceramic history with this antique 1868 bisque porcelain bust depicting Emperor Napoleon III. Handcrafted in Paris, this rare masterpiece bears the coveted raised blue porcelain pad mark—the iconic and definitive hallmark of authenticity for Jean Gille (Gille Jeune).
Crucial Historical Timeline & Provenance MeritThe Transitional Year (1868): This piece is dated 1868, marking the exact transitional year when master ceramicist Jean Gille passed away and his longtime collaborator Charles Baury (alongside Désiré Vion, forming Vion & Baury) took control of the legendary Parisian atelier.
Collector Significance: Dated pieces from this specific 1868 transition featuring the original Gille blue pad mark represent a pivotal moment in 19th-century French decorative arts, making this an irreplaceable acquisition for advanced porcelain collectors and French Imperial historians alike.
Uncleaned Preservation: The bisque porcelain surface exhibits authentic age-appropriate soiling. It has been intentionally left uncleaned to preserve its original antique patina, character, and historical integrity.
Structural Note: On the reverse (rear) side of the bust, there is a 1 ¼" superficial crack with dark soiling and staining. Crucially, this crack DOES NOT go through to the front or inside of the piece and remains structurally sound.
Subject: Emperor Napoleon III
Maker: Jean Gille / Charles Baury (Vion & Baury)
Origin: Paris, France
Date: Dated 1868
Mark: Raised Blue Porcelain Pad Hallmark (Gille Jeune)
Medium: Hand-Sculpted Bisque Porcelain
Dimensions: 5 ¾" High x 3" Wide x 2 ½" Deep
1868 Jean Gille Bisque Bust, Napoleon III Porcelain Bust, Charles Baury French Porcelain, Vion Baury Gille Jeune, Raised Blue Pad Mark, Antique French Bisque, 19th Century Imperial France, Rare Parisian Porcelain.
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