French Fireplace Plaque Featuriing Naked Women and a Goat -- Art Nouveau Period

Details

Description

Oh, for a return to the "simple days."

When I purchased this plaque in France, the merchant suggested it had … Read more Oh, for a return to the "simple days."

When I purchased this plaque in France, the merchant suggested it had some use around the fireplace -- perhaps as a device to take the heat and then radiate it elsewhere. But judging from the condition, which I can only describe as "off the showroom floor," it was never put to any particular task (that might have compromised its finish).

It's made of cast iron and is insanely, back-breaking heavy -- perhaps in the realm of 20 pounds or more. Such a cast iron plaque needs be cushioned in the extreme during shipping; the box being dropped without such cushioning potentially causing breakage. So, it will be wrapped accordingly, which takes time. The shipping will be by UPS ground service, insured of course.

One hesitates to wax too rhapsodic about the subject matter, I leave that to your fertile imagination. I'll be thinking of these ladies whenever I slather my goat yogurt on my morning pancakes. The influence of the organic Art Nouveau artistic movement is clearly evident in the treatment of the foliage above the milkmaids' heads.

Dimensions: about 26 1/2 wide, 19 and a quarter high. About 3/8 thick (varies). See less