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No. 2740 Lover's Eye Painting on a St. Petersburg Cobalt and Gilt Plate
Susannah Carson
Lover's Eye painting on a St. Petersburg porcelain saucer in a deep cobalt blue with delicate gold gilt overlay swags and botanicals, measuring 5.75" (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.
black, plate, delicate, eye, gold, navy, portrait, miniature, vintage, historic, realistic, detailed,