Limoges Enamels On Copper - 8 Collectible Miniatures - 19th Century

Exceptional set of enameled miniatures, made on copper plates, the emblematic medium of the Limoges workshops. Each piece is meticulously hand-painted with vitrified pigments, then fired at high temperature using traditional grand feu enamel techniques, inherited from the Middle Ages and magnified during the Renaissance. The compositions, of remarkable finesse, are set in delicate gilded brass frames, sometimes oval, mounted on a garnet velvet background, giving the whole a precious and museum-like character. The scenes represented sensitively illustrate the bourgeois and sacred life of the 19th century: Portraits of children in antique clothes, cherubs and putti in affectionate scenes, evoking Christian iconography. Women in period dresses and men in historical costume in romantic and sentimental atmospheres. Stylistic allusions to the techniques of champlevé and plique-à-jour, reinforcing the link with the heyday of Limoges enamel. Each miniature demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship and rare artistic sensitivity, making this set a vibrant tribute to French decorative art. The state of preservation is remarkable: the enamels are intact, without chips or alterations. Please note a small enamel loss on one of the medallions, clearly marked in the photo with a black arrow. Condition of the support: The support shows visible alteration of the fabric in certain places, testifying to its age. The underlying wood also shows areas of fragility, with parts that appear slightly softened, probably due to wear and tear over time or to conservation conditions. A collector's set, worthy of the finest display cases, which will appeal to lovers of sacred art, pictorial romanticism and Limoges heritage. Dimensions: 18 cm in height and 12.5 cm width.