Antique Bavaria Pensée Porcelain Portrait Plates from Rosenthal, Set of 2

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A charming pair of German porcelain portrait plates by Rosenthal, Bavaria, dating to circa 1900 and bearing the Pensée pattern … Read more A charming pair of German porcelain portrait plates by Rosenthal, Bavaria, dating to circa 1900 and bearing the Pensée pattern mark to the reverse. Finely painted with complementary female portraits and surrounded by delicate green and gilt decoration, the pair is an attractive example of turn-of-the-century Continental portrait porcelain. Each plate centres upon a finely rendered portrait of an elegant young woman depicted in profile or three-quarter view. One sitter wears a warm golden-brown shawl, her softly curled dark hair framing her face, while her companion is portrayed in a pale dress with dark hair loosely gathered at the back. The restrained modelling and softly graduated flesh tones give the portraits an appealing painterly quality. The portraits are surrounded by broad pale green borders enriched with finely detailed gilt foliate decoration. Sculpted, gently lobed rims are punctuated by raised gilt ornamental motifs, while a fine gold line traces the shaped outer edge. The combination of soft celadon green, white porcelain and warm gilding provides an elegant frame for the central portraits. The undersides bear green factory marks incorporating a crown and crossed devices together with the lettering "R. C." and the designation "Pensée Bavaria." Dating from around the turn of the 20th century, these decorative portrait plates reflect the popularity of idealised female subjects in European porcelain during the Belle Époque period. Presented as a complementary pair, they are particularly well suited to cabinet display or wall mounting. Maker: Rosenthal, attributed Pattern: Pensée Date: Circa 1900 Period: Late 19th / Early 20th Century Origin: Bavaria, Germany Material: Hand-painted porcelain, gilt decoration Condition: Excellent antique condition with no noted chips, cracks or significant damage. Minor age-related wear and some light loss to the gilding are present, consistent with age. Measurements: Height: approximately 1.25 in. (3.2 cm) Width: 8.5 in. (21.6 cm) Depth: 8.5 in. (21.6 cm) Diameter: 8.5 in. (21.6 cm) See less