No. 2428 Lover's Eye Painting on an English Copeland Red Transferware "Spode's Tower" Plate
A Lover's Eye oil painting on an English china saucer by Copeland in the "Spode's Tower" with a red transferware landscape and botanical border in a traditional Victorian pattern with a raised gadrooned border, with a small rim chip bottom left, measuring 6" (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.
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