French Napoleon III Grisaille Kiln-fired Enamel Plaque on Convex Coppe

French Napoleon III Grisaille Kiln-fired Enamel Plaque on Convex Copper, circa 1865–1880 Limoges

French Napoleon III Grisaille Enamel Plaque, circa 1865–1880, executed in the centuries-old grisaille enamel technique, this elegant oval plaque is painted in luminous shades of white and gray over a rich cobalt blue ground, the enamel fired repeatedly upon a convex copper support to achieve remarkable depth and permanence. The romantic classical scene, inspired by an earlier Italian Renaissance composition, depicts a reclining armored hero attended by a graceful female figure amid an idealized architectural landscape. The plaque is housed in its original richly gilded carved wood frame, which complements its refined nineteenth-century aesthetic.

During the reign of Napoleon III, France experienced a renewed fascination with the art of the Renaissance, and enamellers looked to the great Italian and Fontainebleau masters for inspiration. Works such as this were created for discerning collectors and travelers who admired the beauty of Renaissance art while appreciating the enduring brilliance of kiln-fired enamel. The subtle modeling of the figures, delicate handling of the grisaille, and deep cobalt ground demonstrate the skill required of the enameller, whose work demanded numerous firings at high temperatures to achieve the finished image.

Signed lower left with an indistinct artist's monogram, the plaque remains housed in its original period frame, preserving the presentation intended by its nineteenth-century maker. Decorative, romantic, and beautifully executed, it is a fine example of the Renaissance Revival that flourished in France during the Second Empire.

Plaque: 13 x 10 inches
Frame: Original gilded carved wood.

While often described as Limoges, we believe this plaque is best appreciated as a finely executed French Renaissance Revival enamel of the Napoleon III period, created in the spirit of the great Limoges enamellers rather than as an attempt to imitate a sixteenth-century original.