Art Nouveau Style Porcelain Plates with Ladies Motif and Gilt Edges by Umberto Banchelli for Manufacture Seltmann Weiden, Bavaria, 1980s, Set of 4

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Description of the item
a set of four hard-paste porcelain wall plates, decorated with female figures inspired by art nouveau … Read more Description of the item
a set of four hard-paste porcelain wall plates, decorated with female figures inspired by art nouveau and embellished with a wide gold border featuring engraved floral motifs. The four ladies, draped in light, fluttering veils, stand out against skies of clouds and stars rendered in delicate pastel shades of pink, pearl gray, and light blue, with a subtle and refined design reminiscent of early 20th-century illustrations. The slender figures, long wavy hair, heavily made-up faces, and the ornamental drapery clearly evoke the graphic style of alfons mucha and the elegance of koloman moser’s vienna secession, reinterpreted with a decorative sensibility typical of the late 20th century. The design, rendered on the porcelain, is enhanced by a striking finish: tiaras, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and chains intertwined in the hair are rendered with tiny pearls and gold droplets applied in relief—likely by hand—which give the jewelry a three-dimensional appearance and catch the light, while subtle white highlights accentuate the strands of hair. Equally exquisite is the rim of each plate, entirely covered in gold and decorated with a dense motif of leaves and flowers created using the engraving technique, which produces a subtle relief effect and sets the surface aglow with luminous reflections. Each plate is signed by umberto banchelli on the decoration and on the reverse, where the green crown mark of the bavarian manufacturer seltmann weiden also appears, along with the inscription “w. Germany” and the words “incisione oro,” which identify the specific gilding technique. The inscription “w. Germany” allows the series to be dated to before 1990, around the 1980s. The plates are in excellent condition, with the gilding bright and well-preserved.

information about the artist and/or manufacturer
the porcelain is by seltmann weiden, one of germany’s most renowned porcelain manufacturers. Founded in 1910 in the bavarian city of weiden, it remains a traditional family-run business led by the seltmann family. Christian seltmann established the company after training at his father’s porcelain factory and at several other manufacturers. Throughout the 20th century, seltmann weiden established itself as one of the leading porcelain producers in the german market, prized for the quality of its white, compact, and durable porcelain body, which also made it an ideal base for external decorators and artistic workshops. Part of this collection is the series designed by umberto banchelli, who created a refined homage to the feminine imagery of art nouveau on bavarian porcelain, enriched by exquisite engraved gold detailing. This piece has an attribution mark,
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