Casgliadau Arlein

Figure group of Napoleon III and the Empress Eugenie, off white earthenware, slightly blue tinted crackle glaze, detailed cast, standing on an irregular oval plinth inscribed in gilt script. Figures largely white and gilt, Napoleon standing on right in military dress, knee high black boots, white trousers, a close fitting and high necked white jacket with several gilt medals and further gilt detailing, white sash around waist, gold fringed epaulettes, black moustache and narrow beard, black hair, standing with left leg forward, right hand on hip holding gloves, and left arm resting on a cloth draped pillar, the cloth running down on to the side of the plinth. Eugenie on left, seated on an wide oval backed chair, elaborately dressed in a full skirted dress with three tiers of skirt caught up in small flounces with gilt centred flower heads?, the lower tiers decorated with vertical gilt stripes, the upper with gilt strokes, pointed close fitting sleeveless bodice with a fichu crossing the shoulders and tied with ribbons at each shoulder, gilt necklace, black hair, fancy gilt cap tied with ribbons, left and right hands resting in lap the right hand holding a page inscribed in gilt writing, ? fur stole winding down her left hand side, next to further drapery.