Figure of porcelain, painted in colours and decorated with gilding; reproduction of one of a set of dancing figures made at Ludwigsburg in the 18th century. Germany, early 19th century

Figure of porcelain, painted in colours and decorated with gilding; reproduction of one of a set of dancing figures made at Ludwigsburg in the 18th century. A woman wearing a plumed hat, white red-lined jacket, gilt-figured bodice, white skirt with blue diaper pattern, and mauve apron, which she holds out with her right arm; supported by a treestump on a scrolled base.

Bequeathed by Georgiana, Baroness Bloomfield

Extract from will of Georgiana, Baroness Bloomfield: 'I bequeath to the South Kensington Museum the Ballet in Old China danced by Marie Antoinette at the marriage of her brother.'

'I bought this ballet of old Vienna China at Cologne in 1846. Many years afterwards my nephew Charles Liddell found a book in the British Museum with engravings of the gallery of Versailles in which is represented this identical Ballet which was danced by Marie Antoinette at the marriage of her brother the Emperor Joseph. The set is a copy of the engraving and contains the names of the Archdukes and Archduchesses who performed the Ballet' - G. Bloomfield, 1893

'Dear Aunt Georgie, I send you the tracing of poor little Marie Antoinette dancing at Vienna when only 10 years old with her two brothers in the children's ballet and you will see that all the other names of the children who danced with them are given. I should certainly keep the tracing in an envelope in the same cabinet with the china as it will increase the value of it tenfold. I hope you will receive my tracing without injury. Your affect. nephew, Charlie Liddell'

538-1905