Jean-Baptiste CARPEAUX (1827-1875) The Imperial Prince and his dog Nero, Third reduction -1912 Biscuit sculpture from the MANUFACTURE NATIONALE de SÈVRES, triangular stamp and "Sèvres" mark Authentic proof signed "J.B. Carpeaux Antique edition of the Manufacture dated "1912" and marked "HR" for Henri ROBERT, repair moulder at the MANUFACTURE NATIONALE de SÈVRES (1889-1933) H. 41, W. 19.6, D. 18.3 cm PROVENANCE : - Galerie Univers Du Bronze, Paris - Private collection, Paris NOTE : - A certificate from the Galerie Univers Du Bronze, Paris, will be given to the buyer. - The Prince Imperial was the only son of Napoleon III and Eugénie de MONTIJO. From the age of eight, Jean-Baptiste CARPEAUX gave him drawing lessons. By depicting him simply in the company of his dog, the sculptor gave the heir to the Empire the natural image of a child of the good society of his time, and thus illustrated the new importance accorded to him within the family. The Imperial Prince met with a tragic fate when he was killed by the Zulus in South Africa in 1879. - The MANUFACTURE NATIONALE de SÈVRES continued to market his sculpture with his dog Nero long after his death.