17th-century Religious Enamel Painting, "the Adoration Of The Magi," Gilded Bronze Frame, Switzerland, Italy

A very beautiful polychrome enamel painting with a religious subject, depicting the Adoration of the Magi, set in an oval gilded bronze frame.

The scene shows the Virgin Mary seated on the right, holding the Baby Jesus on her lap. The Child, surrounded by a halo, receives homage from the Three Wise Men. One of the Wise Men, kneeling in the foreground, presents his offering in a devout posture. Two other crowned kings stand in the background with their gifts. Saint Joseph can also be seen on the right, beneath a colonnaded structure, as well as the star guiding the Magi in the upper left corner.

The entire composition is rendered with a rich palette of colors: the deep blue of the Virgin’s cloak, along with reds, greens, golds, and luminous highlights. This highly decorative piece retains a naive yet precious quality, with a dense, narrative composition in the spirit of 17th-century European religious mini-enamels.

Switzerland or Germany, 17th century.

The bronze frame appears to have been custom-made for this religious miniature. It features an oval shape surrounded by a radiating design, well-suited to the sacred scene. The upper knot, in the Louis XVI style, was added later and soldered to the top of the frame. It does not appear to be part of the original frame, which was initially oval in shape.

Condition: generally good for an antique object. The enamel is domed and protected by a wooden panel bearing a partially erased Latin inscription. Shows signs of normal wear, minor irregularities, and signs of age on the frame and gilding. The upper bow was added later, with visible soldering. See photos.

Overall dimensions including the bow: 15 cm high x 10.4 cm wide.

Dimensions of the oval frame without the bow: 12.3 cm high x 10.4 cm wide.

Visible dimensions of the enamel: 7 cm x 5.4 cm.