CIRCA 1817, MODELED BY LOUIS-SIMON BOIZOT, IMPRESSED SCRIPT SEVRES MARK, INCISED MAS MARK FOR J. MASCARET, FURTHER INCISED 11.AV.DS.

The present figure emblematic of Africa is one from a set of four figures representing the four corners of the World acquired by King George IV of England soon after he ascended the throne in 1821. The figure of Europe remains in the Royal Collection, while the figures of Asia and America have been lost.

The Sèvres ledger lists the set as the first item under a heading A S M L Roi d'Angleterre [To his Majesty the King of England] at a cost of 144 francs per figure for a total of 576 francs. Looking through the roster of his other purchases, including a biscuit group of Ganymede and Hebe, the Continents appear to be the most expensive by far. As the next entry in the ledger is the listing of sales at the annual selling exposition held at the Louvre between 26 December 1821 and 7 January 1822, the king's purchases must have been made earlier in 1821.