No. 2680 Lover's Eye Painting on an English Sutherland Gold Gilt Plate
Lover's Eye painting on an antique English Crown bone china saucer in the Sutherland pattern with an extravagant border of gold gilt with scrolled designes and birds or little dragons, and with lightly scalloped edges, 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.
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