Wonderful Antique Brooch With Enamel Painting From Limoges, c. 1910

Limoges in southwestern France was the European center for artistic enamel painting in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Especially in the 16th century, precious plates and candlesticks were created here for princely households, decorated with detailed scenes of ancient mythology or biblical stories, intended to stimulate conversation at the table. After going out of fashion in the Baroque period, these collectible pieces were rediscovered in the 19th century and today adorn the collections of the most famous museums of decorative arts. The brooch here in gold presents such an enamel from Limoges. We see a lady in profile, in Renaissance dress and with hair net typical for the 16th century. It is reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine", now in the Krakow Czartoryski-Museum. However, this painting did not originate in the Renaissance, but at the beginning of the 20th century, when some workshops had re-established themselves in Limoges and were producing in the old style. It is no coincidence that the background of the painting, with its soft colour gradients and metallic sheen, is also more reminiscent of Art Nouveau around 1900 than of actual models from the early modern period. The frame with the corded wire was again created in Germany. We discovered the brooch here in Berlin.

Estimate:£755.99

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