Antique Victorian lithopane. Carved porcelain, gilt metal. Made in the United Kingdom late 19th century.
Measurements:
Lithopane Measures 3inches in diameter. The frame is 8 1/4inches high.
Description:
Round hand-carved porcelain lithopane featuring two young girls strolling with a flower-shaped parasol in a lush English cottage garden. They are on an earthy pathway, a picket fence on one side, a cottage in the background and golden flowers peeping over the fence in their direction. Quaint story-book scene. Not only does the parasol echo the flowers, but the gold-colored frame in a lacy netlike metal with gilt metal foliage and twigs, also reflects the same floral theme and ties the frame to the scene depicted. Sunflower-shaped frame with a double layer of frilly petals, arching naturalistically formed stem and beautifully modelled foliage. Frame is clearly original to the lithopane.
Great detail, cute and charming. It is rare to find colored lithopanes.
Frame and lithopane are clearly original to each other which is also rare and the pretty gold color adds tremendously to the scene.
The little holes in the frame were used to thread a cord in order to suspend the lithopane. The thread is all but gone, but can easily be replaced. In addition. There is a mechanism on the back of the frame that allows it to be held on a support, if so desired (shown in 'photo).
Marks:
Incised with PR in a balloon mark and 1666 on the back.
THE STORY:
Lithopanes were a form of light art during the Victorian era. Sometimes known as 'light paintings' by the Victorians. They are hand-carved porcelain. The depth of the carving allows a greater or lesser amount of light to pass through the porcelain. It is opaque in areas and transparent in others, depending on the depth of carving. When light shines through the porcelain, it shows the scene in literally glowing terms. It takes great skill, much like the carving of a cameo or intaglio. Most lithopanes are monochrome, but this is a fully hand colored polychrome depiction. Colored lithopanes are rare.
A rare collector’s treasure combining whimsy, history, and craftsmanship.
