WE SHIP! The AEAA is exceptionally pleased to present this lot representing a Rare ornate & gorgeous, 1920s hand painted rendition of the Virgin Mother Mary, baby Jesus and an Angel, fitted in a later 1940s wall hanging / dresser stand up ornate gesso frame. The definition and colors of this portrait is fantastic, and it was accomplished on classic thin polished sheet Ivory. Our portrait treasure measures 5.25 x 5.25 x 1 inch deep, weighing 8 oz., and is in excellent condition. This fine heirloom is from the living estate of Ailene & Buddy Ford, respected, longtime dealers of valuable antiques. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. The original soft paste porcelain was first used at the Vincennes facility ca. 1740, and production continued after the move to Sevres in 1756. The soft paste formula was completely replaced by the painting amenable hard paste porcelain by 1779. In 1770, the transition from soft paste to hard paste, Kaolin rich porcelain, began, giving a much friendlier and less absorptive enamel surface, especially for miniatures. This significant change was overseen by the talented facility director, Louis-Simon Boizot (1774-1800). Due to the new porcelain available, King Louis XV commissioned a number of portraits to be executed on small, square, round and oval forms. These subjects were meant for mementos & gifts to friends & dignitaries, and generally represented alluring, modest, regal, and just down right risque (nude) females, suitable for a ladies boudoir, as wall plaques or as stands, and even prominent brooches. Obviously portraits of specific ladies were ALWAYS FLATTERING! Ornate Ormolu (bronze dore) frames were the order of the day, and soon, noteworthy gentleman were acquiring porcelain portraits of wifes, daughters, nieces, and of course girlfriends. This art form saw glory days through the Napoleonic era ca. 1820, but then was minimized for about half a century. The great classical revival in Europe, once again saw these portraits become very popular from the 1870s, up until the 1920s, and German, Austrian, English and other countries potters, joined the French in contributing to these fine and beautifully decorated antique visions we see today. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx. However, a separate medium was developed in the last half of the 19th century, which required far less time and cost to produce, but, nonetheless, was considered just a brilliant & beautiful. We speak about enamel and pastel portraits on finely thin cut & polished Ivory sheet. The depth of Ivory determined the base finish, graduating from opaque, to an ornate translucent background. The French were particularly fond of this medium, encasing them in their traditional Ormolu frames, and some of the finest work came from Parisian artisans between 1895 and 1925.

XA - PP18 - Excellent condition