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No. 2510 Lover's Eye Painting on a Red Oak Leaves & Acorns Plate

Sale price$225.00 Regular price$525.00

Lover's Eye painting on an antique English Johnson Bros. saucer with a red and white transferware border of red oak leaves and acorns, 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.