Antique 19th century French Sevres biscuit porcelain bust of Benjamin Franklin on a faux lapis socle. Measures 12" x 8 1/2" x 5". Good condition - the bust is not attached to the blue socle. Benjamin Franklin was the first diplomat from the fledgeling United States to journey to France in search of aid and diplomatic recognition in 1776. His rustic, new-world charm made him an instant hit in Paris; likenesses were popular and widely disseminated. According to the research of Tamara Préaud, archivist at Sèvres, two busts of Benjamin Franklin were modeled at the French National Manufactory. Both were executed based on prototypes made during Benjamin Franklin's lifetime. One was based on Jean-Antoine Houdon's bust of 1778. The other, which closely relates to the present example, was after the 1777 portrait by Jean-Jacques Caffiéri (1725-1792). The Caffiéri model was produced in at least two sizes and with variations in the number and diameter of the buttons.