Vienese Enamel Violin Player
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Item Details
- Height:
5 7/8" Inches - Period:
19th Century - Origin:
Other Europe
A violinist is rendered in amazing detail in this unique Viennese enamel and gilt figure. Dressed to the hilt in his finest attire, this diminutive musician takes his stance upon a base featuring hand-painted pastoral scenes.
Enameling is one of the oldest forms of decorative art with examples dating back almost 3,000 years to Mycenaean Greece. The methods used in the enameling process have changed very little since that time. Enamel is actually glass colored with metallic pigments that are fused to metal by firing. Because different colors fire at different temperatures, it was essential that the artist paint the colors that required the highest heat first, adding the others in descending order of their firing temperature.
The forte of the Viennese enamellers was their success in following the trend set by the interior decorators of mansions and great public buildings with regard to color schemes and pictorial themes from classical mythology. Considering the highly skilled craftsmanship of the Viennese artisans, this ornamental work often surpassed the original Renaissance and Rococo designs it emulated, making Vienna one of the most important European centers for decorative arts.
The makers mark of "LP" is stamped under the base.
Circa 1870
5 7/8" high
Enameling is one of the oldest forms of decorative art with examples dating back almost 3,000 years to Mycenaean Greece. The methods used in the enameling process have changed very little since that time. Enamel is actually glass colored with metallic pigments that are fused to metal by firing. Because different colors fire at different temperatures, it was essential that the artist paint the colors that required the highest heat first, adding the others in descending order of their firing temperature.
The forte of the Viennese enamellers was their success in following the trend set by the interior decorators of mansions and great public buildings with regard to color schemes and pictorial themes from classical mythology. Considering the highly skilled craftsmanship of the Viennese artisans, this ornamental work often surpassed the original Renaissance and Rococo designs it emulated, making Vienna one of the most important European centers for decorative arts.
The makers mark of "LP" is stamped under the base.
Circa 1870
5 7/8" high
