No. 2686 Lover's Eye Painting on a Star and Foliate Plate

Susannah Carson

A Lover's Eye oil painting on an English bone china saucer with gold gilt botanical sprigs dotted with stars, and with a lightly scalloped border, measuring 5.5” (wire spring plate hanger included).

THE HISTORY: Lover's Eyes were a jewelry trend c.1785-1830 of brooches set with tiny watercolor portraits on ivory. Since they were cropped to eyes, they were in many ways more direct and intimate than traditional miniature portraits; but also because they were just eyes, they were often used as daring public testimonies of clandestine love affairs with mystery lovers.

THE CHINA: Many of my Lover's Eyes are set in antique saucers and dishes which not only work as unexpected frames but add a layer of historical narrative on top of the origin story. Each piece has a unique blend, so that some are more romantic, some more exotic, and some more otherworldly.

white, gold, eye, pink, detailed, dots, pattern, floral, shimmer, saucer, plate, vintage, historic, portrait, miniature,