A rare pair of famille-verte figures of a European lady and gentlemanQing dynasty, Kangxi period清康熙 五彩西洋人物立像一對(2)Height of taller 9⅜ in., 23.8 cmMale: One arm has been reattached at the sleeve; the scroll end is restored as is the thumb on the other hand as well as the rim of the hat, with other scattered restorations elsewhere. Female: Restorations to both hands and the right foot has been reattached; there is some surface wear to the top of her head. Both figures with expected wear, some minor retouching to enamels and minor imperfections consistent with age and type. For more information on and additional videos for this lot, please contact serina.wei@sothebys.comIn response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.French Private Collection, acquired in Paris in the 1950s or 1960s.Christie's London, 24th April 2017, lot 124.法國私人收藏，1950年代或1960年代得於巴黎 倫敦佳士得2017年4月24日，編號124This pair of European figures, often erroneously described as Louis XIV and Madame de Maintenon, is elegantly attired in the elite fashion of the French court around 1700 but with the noteworthy inclusion of Chinese artistic motifs replacing European decorative patterns. The model for the figures is considered to have been inspired by late 17th century engravings produced by Henri and Nicolas Bonnart.Similar examples in museum collections include a pair in the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, illustrated in William Sargent, The Copeland Collection, Chinese and Japanese Ceramic Figures, Salem, 1991, pp 104-105; a pair in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, from the Basil Ionides Bequest (accession nos C.109-1963 and C.109A-1963); and a pair in Dresden, from the collection of Augustus the Strong and included in a 1721 inventory, is illustrated in Eva Ströber, "La Maladie de Porcelaine…": East Asian porcelain from the collection of Augustus the Strong, Leipzig, 2001, pl. 22.