A beautiful Limoges enamel plaque, monogrammed RF, (aprés or after) based on the work of William Bouguereau—a 19th-century Academic and *Pompier* painter—titled *The Abduction of Psyche* (1899). The exceptionally talented enameler has rendered the subject in *grisaille*—an ancient technique considered more technically challenging than colored enamels. We have only an initial overlap P R as signature of that enamelist. Kiln-fired enamel work is the most arduous and difficult to master artistic technique and this is perhaps the most stunning work I've seen in that medium. The exquisite period French wore bronze frame (circa 1900) serves to magnificently showcase this piece, and is 10" x 6.5" plus the 1 3/8" ornamental garland fronton or crest top. These frames are, themselves, a very valuable antique. I've shown Bouguereau's famous painting at the end of our photos for reference. The beauty is fully evident in this stunning enamel.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. Kiln-fired enamel is like a porcelain once it is out of the kiln, and as such can crack or be chipped. You can see a few tight hairline scratches across Psyche's stomach, which do not appear to be cracks, but I must point out a very small chip 1/8" in the bottom-left corner, accompanied by a hairline crack; this is barely visible and does not detract from the aesthetic appeal of the scene.
Plaque: 10 x 17 cm; dimensions including the frame: 15 x 28.5 cm.. The silk velvet mat has a couple of spots of depleted nap.
