Cookie medallion 'le Jour' after Bertel Thorvaldsen, Bing and Gröndahl, 19th century

Bisque medallion representing the allegory 'The Day' after the marble work by Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844), which he created in 1815.
Marked by Eneret, Bing and Gröndahl (B&G). Old restoration.
Circa 1853 to 1885.
Dimensions: Diam. 14.5 cm, D 1.2 cm approx.

The artist: Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844)
Bertel Thorvaldsen was a Danish sculptor, considered one of the greatest exponents of the neoclassical movement. Born in Copenhagen, he was the son of an Icelandic sculptor. He studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 1781.
The artist spent much of his career in Rome, where he settled in 1797 and became famous for his works inspired by ancient art.
He worked for prestigious clients including Ludwig I of Bavaria and the Vatican. Thorvaldsen is also celebrated in his native country, where a museum bearing his name in Copenhagen preserves his works.
He created the pair of marble medallions "Day" and "Night" in 1815, both of which were hugely successful.

The factory: Eneret, Bing and Gröndahl
In 1833, Frederik Vilhelm Grondahl completed his apprenticeship at the prestigious Royal Manufactory in Copenhagen, and a few years later became a draughtsman-sculptor.
In 1852, he was approached by brothers Jacob Herman Bing and Meyer Herman Bing, two Copenhagen art and stationery merchants who wanted to set up a private porcelain factory, the first in the country. Bing & Grondahl Porcelaensfabrik opened its doors in 1853.
At first, it produced mainly neo-classical cookie statuettes and reliefs, based on sculptures by the Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844), which were sold in M. H. Bing's various galleries.
Around 1880, J. H. Bing's sons Ludvig and Harald took over the reins of the factory, as general manager and manufacturing manager respectively.
In 1885, Harald Bing hired the painter and illustrator Pietro Krohn (1840-1905) as art director, setting Bing & Grondahl on the road to modernity.
This medallion therefore dates from the company's early period (circa 1853 to 1885), when it marketed reproductions of Bertel Thorvaldsen's works.

Ref: FNQA6LQB6A