Delft Polychrome Plaque With a Courteous Scene Delft, Circa 1760

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Polychrome Plaque with a courteous scene. Delft, circa 1760

The octagonal plaque is painted in blue with a courteous scene. … Read more Polychrome Plaque with a courteous scene. Delft, circa 1760

The octagonal plaque is painted in blue with a courteous scene. A young man offers a flower to a young lady accompanied by her chaperon, against a background of trees and shrubbery. On the foreground lie a rake and a shovel in cross shape, tied with a ribbon. The courteous scene depicts either an allegorical representation of ‘Earth’ from the series of the Four Elements or ‘Spring’ from the Four Seasons. The blue painting is framed within a polychrome, relief molded rococo border, made up of leaf-shaped C and S scrolls. The top with a hole for suspension, the reverse is glazed.

Dimensions: length 30 cm / 11.81 in., width 30 cm / 11.81 in.
Condition: wear to the molded rim, the plaque is a little convex.

Plaques and dishes with blue painted scenes in polychrome frames were popular between 1740 and 1780. The frames are in French Régence or Rococo styles and can be executed with abundant ornamentation. Gallant or courteous scenes are, together with landscapes and biblical themes, the most painted decorations. In many cases gallant scenes are based on graphical examples, such as from the German designer and printmaker Johann Esaias Nilson (1721-1788). Frequently they depict allegories like the Twelve Months, the Four Seasons, the Four Elements or the Five Senses. Of this plaque the exact graphical example has not been found. See less