Louis XVI and Jean Sylvain Bailly, President of the National Assembly

Louis XVI and Jean Sylvain Bailly, President of the National Assembly, snuff box, circa 1789, by Bance, stipple engraving of Louis XVI three quarters facing, with legend and makers details around, LOUIS XV1 NE A VERSAILLE LE 23 AOUT 1754/ PARIS CHEZ BANCE RUE ST. SEVERIN, NO. 25. rev. stipple engraving of Bailly, M. BAILLY MARIE DE LA VILLE DE PARIS PRESIDENT DE L'ASSEMBLEE NATIONALE, 67 x 18 mm, the portraits with gilt surrounds. Good very fine, a fascinating period box. £Sold

Jean-Sylvain Bailly, (1736- 1793), Astronomer.

The French Revolution interrupted his studies. Elected deputy from Paris to the Estates-General, he was chosen President of the Third Estate on May 5, 1789, and led the famous proceedings in the Tennis Court on June 20. He was proclaimed the First Mayor of Paris on July 15, 1789 but lost popularity, particularly after his order to the National Guard to disperse a riotous crowd which led to the massacre of the Champ de Mars on July 17, 1791. Bailly retired on Nov. 16, 1791, and went to Nantes where he composed Memoires d'un temoin de la Revolution ("Memoirs of a Witness of the Revolution"), an incomplete narrative of the extraordinary events of his public life. Late in 1793 Bailly went to Melun to join his friend, scientist Pierre-Simon Laplace, but was recognized, arrested, and taken before the revolutionary tribunal in Paris and subsequently guillotined.
A Wedgwood portrait plaque was produced of him in December 1791. A pale blue jasperware perfume bottle exists of him twinned with Lafayette.

Back

If you require further information on this item you can contact us in a number of ways. Click here to see our contact information.

Id:5593 Q:0