{"product_id":"antique-french-limoges-enamel-on-copper-plaque-smoking-cavalier-miniature-portrait-painting","title":"Antique French Limoges Enamel on Copper Plaque Smoking Cavalier Miniature Portrait Painting","description":"\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\" data-setdir=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ydp72603718Yjhzub\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-sfc-cb=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003e\u003cspan class=\"eujQNb\"\u003eImportant late 19th-century French Limoges painted enamel on copper plaque, dated 1898.\u003c\/span\u003e The miniature portrait depicting a cavalier smoking a pipe, after a genre painting by German artist Albert Friedrich Schröder. \u003cspan class=\"eujQNb\"\u003eExecuted by painter MG under the workshop direction of Théophile Soyer (French, 1853–1940). Housed in its original Louis XVI-style gilt-bronze easel frame. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\" data-setdir=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cem class=\"eujQNb\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-sfc-cb=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--TgQPHd||[]--\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Fsg96\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-sfc-cb=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-sfc-inited=\"2\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003e\u003c!--TgQPHd||[]--\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"j3tEEe\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-sfc-pl=\"||[]\" data-sfc-cb=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-sae=\"\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; margin: 32px 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(128, 128, 128);'\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\" data-setdir=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ydp72603718Yjhzub\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-sfc-cb=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003eThe portrait d\u003c\/span\u003eepicts an elegant 17th-century cavalier with long reddish hair seated casually atop a table spread with luxury textiles. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn his hand he holds a long slender white clay \"churchwarden\" pipe, gazing upward as delicate rings of white smoke escape his lips. In his right hand, he holds a \u003cspan class=\"ydp72603718Yjhzub\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-sfc-cb=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003epewter tankard\u003c\/span\u003e resting on his knee. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ydp980e8d33T286Pc\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-sfc-cb=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003eThe cavalier wears a brilliant, deep cobalt-blue velvet doublet and matching breeches, rendered in vivid, luminous tones characteristic of high-quality late 19th-century Limoges enamel firing. The deep folds and sheen of the fabric are captured through expert blending of translucent blue glazes over the underlying foiled base. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis attire is punctuated by an intricate white lace collar (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003egorgias\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) with tassels, lace cuffs, a teal or sea-green slashed under-doublet, black stockings, and buckled shoes with large decorative blue rosettes. Notice the one shoe casually kicked off to the floor. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eHe is perched on a crisp white tablecloth adorned with lace trim, layered over a heavy green and red patterned table cloth.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\" data-setdir=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\" data-setdir=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eThe composition is a classic genre scene inspired by the historical revival styles of the late 19th century and is taken after the work of German genre painter \u003cspan class=\"ydp980e8d33Yjhzub\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-sfc-cb=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003eAlbert Friedrich Schröder (1854–1939) titled '\u003cem\u003eSmoking Man in a Historical Costume' (Raucher in Historischem Kostüm). \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Schröder specialized in highly detailed, Dutch Golden Age-inspired interiors featuring cavaliers, tavern scenes, and smokers. During the late 19th-century revival, master French enamelists in Limoges frequently translated these popular oil paintings into brilliant enamel-on-copper miniature masterpieces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\" data-setdir=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\" data-setdir=\"false\"\u003eThe portrait is signed to the lower left with interlaced initials TS for \u003cspan class=\"ydpd400bf10Yjhzub\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-sfc-cb=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ydpd400bf10T286Pc\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-sfc-cb=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ydpd400bf10wfWfIf ydpd400bf10fxyaSe\"\u003e\u003cspan data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-sfc-cb=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003e\u003cspan data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"c\" data-sfc-cb=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ydpd400bf10jAOkJc\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-sfc-root=\"c\" data-sfc-cb=\"aPo2Hd=\u0026amp;j3KOyb_14:aPo2Hd\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiT49XHxt-VAxX8j2oFHaSHGHMQ3egRegYIAQgVEAI\" data-complete=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003eThéophile Soyer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e (1853–1940), a highly celebrated French master \u003cspan class=\"ydpd400bf10eujQNb\"\u003eémailleur\u003c\/span\u003e (enameler). Soyer came from a famous dynasty of Parisian artists and metalworkers and was renowned for translating famous genre and historical paintings into luminous, kiln-fired enamel on copper. He took over the family business from his father Paul Soyer in 1889 after training at the Paris School of Fine Arts. Together with his wife Lucie Dejoux, a Swiss enameler, as well as their only daughter Jeanne Soyer \u003ca class=\"maisonpedia_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marcmaison.com\/architectural-antiques-resources\/enamelled_mirror_paul_soyer\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e(1879-1967), where she was\u003c\/span\u003e trained by her parents from a very early age and \u003cspan\u003eher talent placed her among the\u003c\/span\u003e company’s best workers.  To the lower right is interlaced initials MG, this is the signature of the collaborating enamel painter or decorator who executed the intricate brushwork within Soyer’s prestigious workshop. The piece is dated 1898, placing the plaque right at the apex of the late 19th-century French Renaissance and Baroque revival movement. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\" data-setdir=\"false\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\" data-setdir=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plaque is housed in its original, highly decorative\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ydp980e8d33Yjhzub\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-sfc-cb=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003egilt-bronze easel-back frame\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Featuring an ornate \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eleaf and dart border trimmed by beaded edging\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Crowned by an elaborate openwork \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ydp980e8d33Yjhzub\" data-sfc-root=\"ep\" data-sfc-cb=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-copy-service-computed-style='font-family: \"Google Sans\", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);'\u003eLouis XVI style crest, casted as a\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003en intertwined ribbon bow with trailing floral garlands and laurel leaves with berries. Backed with a hinged A-frame easel stand for tabletop display and a top loop for handing. The easel bears a maker's mark.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions: 13 7\/8\" x 9 1\/2\". The portrait (sight) measures 10 1\/4\" x 7 1\/2\".\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn overall good antique condition with general wear commensurate with age and use. No damage or cracks to the beautiful enamelwork. There is a thin scratch that exposes the copper beneath, located at the upper left corner of the scene, though this is hardly noticeable and does not detract from the beauty of the scene. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"The Antique Boutique","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43032004591710,"sku":"MP-3281","price":2295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2444\/7807\/files\/french_limoges_large_enamel_portrait_man_829.jpg?v=1784499467","url":"https:\/\/theantiqueboutique.net\/products\/antique-french-limoges-enamel-on-copper-plaque-smoking-cavalier-miniature-portrait-painting","provider":"The Antique Boutique","version":"1.0","type":"link"}