| This is a very unique and exceptional Delft or French faience wall plaque. Breathtaking painting! Two horses, riders and a woman; the riders getting ready to depart camp, leaving the woman behind. A tender parting scene. The horses are magnificent. There are small white dots throughout that look like snow. The quality of the painting is so incredible it's unimaginable that these white areas could be anything other than snow flakes. Just gorgeous! The ormolu sconces are intact and RARE! The shield shape of the plaque suggests French Empire styling. Dimensions: 18 1/4" high, 12 1/4" wide and from the back of the piece to the sconce is 8 1/4". Condition: very good. Almost perfect; but not quite. One of the ormolu arms has been repaired, soldered back on I expect. That arm is not level with the unrepaired arm. I wouldn't touch it, though. It's a beautiful piece to display just the way it is. Imagine a piece of pottery coming through 200 years in such good shape! Over time this pottery must have been a cherished possession. The estate it comes from put this piece in place of pride: an entire wall in the living room devoted to it. The estate, an Old Philadelphia Main Line mansion, was absolutely crammed with exceptional pieces. The owner was a serious collector. Marks: It is signed on the back, with the initials AP and some lines underneath. |
