No. 2761 Lover's Eye Painting on a Magenta and Gold Plate

Susannah Carson

Lover's Eye painting on an ornate porcelain saucer with a deep magenta pink, very pale pink, and very pale blue border and abundant raised gold gilt, 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.

Red, gold, eye, portrait, vintage, delicate, miniature, plate, saucer, realistic, historic,