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ID #SA1053627
FOR SALE
£1,250
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A Monumental Matched Pair of 19thc Cast Iron Portrait Plaques One with Shakespeare the Other Rubens.
For sale by Robert Belcher Antiques
for sale €1,463     $1,588
£1,250
Robert Belcher Antiques

Robert Belcher Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
Browse dealers 409 items
  • About Us
    Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.
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Id #SA1053627
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A Monumental Matched Pair of 19thc Cast Iron Portrait Plaques One with Shakespeare the Other Rubens.

19th century
Description

A most impressive matched pair of beautifully modelled and heavy cast iron wall plaques both retaining their original bronze effect painted and lacquered finish. The Peter Paul Rubens plaque is slightly larger. The portraits are in deep relief giving a 3D effect and showing great detail. Both subjects are in classic recognisable poses and cast with their names alongside. William Shakespeare, England’s best known play write and Peter Paul Rubins, the famous Flemish artist. This pair of plaques are most unusual in a very large size and substantial weight. They both have a pair of steel loops on their reverse from which to attach a chain or rope for hanging.

English, circa 1880

Size of Ruben’s plaque height 60 cm x width 60cm x depth 7cm

Size of Shakespeare plaque height 57 cm x width 57cm x depth 6cm

Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated these Cast Iron Portrait Plaques to the 1880s.

Independent Date Guide ID 08375389
Dealer's Item Date1880s
Sellingantiques Date1880s
Sellingantiques agingItem 125-160 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1880s:
Deep hollow relief casting: nineteenth-century architectural foundry work.
Bronzed lacquer finish: decorative Victorian treatment simulating patinated bronze.
Spelling of Shakspere without the middle e: nineteenth-century literary convention.
Natural rubbing to the rims exposing grey metal: long handling over decades.

This Independent Date Guide was compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. It works only from the photographs shown on this page and is never told the date the dealer has declared. It is a guide, not a guarantee of age, and occasional errors can occur.

Physical Dimensions
Height
60cm (23.62")
Width
60cm (23.62")
Depth
7cm (2.76")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1053627
Dealers Notes

Robert Belcher Antiques was established in 1984 and is a high-quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative objects. After forty years of shop keeping and maintaining beautiful showrooms, which have been regularly open six days a week, Robert and Wendy have now taken a slightly different approach to their business. Having sold their retail premises, the antique business is now fully online. The picture framing service has ceased to operate because of moving online.

You can contact Robert and Wendy by email or telephone to discuss items from their extensive catalogue of attractive pieces and make purchases. Customers can rest assured that the long-established dealership is continuing to run in an exceedingly professional way, selling genuine and high-quality items which are guaranteed to please the most discerning collector, decorator or homeowner.

All items will be personally hand packaged to a high standard. Small items are extensively wrapped using the best materials and are often double boxed. Items are then shipped with DHL or Royal Mail fully insured and often with next day delivery. Larger items would be personally delivered or sent with a specialist antique delivery firm, or for outside the U.K, a professional shipping company.

Please enjoy viewing their collection of rare and interesting pieces and have the assurance that Robert and Wendy will do their utmost to make sure your experience is exceptional, as has been recognised by many customers who have bought with confidence regularly over the years.

Contact details

Email: robertbelcherantiques@gmail.com

Telephone: 01905 622468

Mobile 07929 011224

07720 607007

Website: https://www.robertbelcherantiques.co.uk

Instagram: robertbelcherantiques

Description
A most impressive matched pair of beautifully modelled and heavy cast iron wall plaques both retaining their original bronze effect painted and lacquered finish. The Peter Paul Rubens plaque is slightly larger. The portraits are in deep relief giving a 3D effect and showing great detail. Both subjects are in classic recognisable poses and cast with their names alongside.
“
William Shakespeare, England’s best known play write and Peter Paul Rubins, the famous Flemish artist.
Robert Belcher Antiques

This pair of plaques are most unusual in a very large size and substantial weight. They both have a pair of steel loops on their reverse from which to attach a chain or rope for hanging.

English, circa 1880

Size of Ruben’s plaque height 60 cm x width 60cm x depth 7cm

Size of Shakespeare plaque height 57 cm x width 57cm x depth 6cm

Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated these Cast Iron Portrait Plaques to the 1880s.

Independent Date Report ID 08375389
Dealer's Item Date1880s
Sellingantiques dating1880s
Sellingantiques agingItem 125-160 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1880s:
Deep hollow relief casting: nineteenth-century architectural foundry work.
Bronzed lacquer finish: decorative Victorian treatment simulating patinated bronze.
Spelling of Shakspere without the middle e: nineteenth-century literary convention.
Natural rubbing to the rims exposing grey metal: long handling over decades.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
60cm (23.62")
Width
60cm (23.62")
Depth
7cm (2.76")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1053627
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2017

Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Robert Belcher Antiques Profile Page

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A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare.
1 / 18
Archive I A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare.

A Monumental Matched Pair of 19thc Cast Iron Portrait Plaques One with Shakespeare the Other Rubens.

Archive II A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View II
Archive III A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View III
Archive IV A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View IV
Archive V A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View V
Archive VI A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View VI
Archive VII A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View VII
Archive VIII A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View VIII
Archive IX A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View IX
Archive X A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View X
Archive XI A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View XI
Archive XII A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View XII
Archive XIII A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View XIII
Archive XIV A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View XIV
Archive XV A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View XV
Archive XVI A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View XVI
Archive XVII A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View XVII
Archive XVIII A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare. View XVIII
Enlarged Archival View
Robert Belcher Antiques

Robert Belcher Antiques
Telephone 07929 011224 or 01905 622468
Location
Worcestershire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/rbelcher
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 409
Items Sold 682
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: Worcestershire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/rbelcher
Verified
Jul 2017
For Sale
409
Sold
682
A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare.
A monumental matched pair of 19thC cast iron portrait plaques one with Shakespeare the other Rubens.
Ref: SA1053627
A matched pair of circular dark brown cast iron relief plaques featuring high-relief portrait busts of Peter Paul Rubens and William Shakespeare.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWall Plaques
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialCast Iron
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsHigh relief portrait bust, Circular roundel format, Inscribed lettering, Ruff collar detail
  • SizeH 60 cm (24 in) x W 60 cm (24 in) x D 7 cm (3 in)

A monumental matched pair of nineteenth-century Victorian cast iron portrait plaques in a circular roundel format depicting William Shakespeare and Peter Paul Rubens. The heavy items retain an original dark brown bronze-effect painted and lacquered finish with high-relief portrait busts, inscribed lettering, and detailed ruff collars. The Rubens plaque measures 60 cm high, 60 cm wide, and 7 cm deep, while the Shakespeare plaque measures 57 cm high, 57 cm wide, and 6 cm deep, with steel loops on the reverse for hanging. This pair suits a gentleman's library or study, where the pieces hang upon a wall above the mantel to add historic character to the interior space.

FAQs

Cast iron portrait plaques are decorative relief sculptures produced predominantly throughout the nineteenth century, depicting notable literary, artistic, or historical figures in profile or high relief.

These items were produced by pouring molten iron into detailed sand moulds derived from original sculptor models, frequently receiving a patinated or bronzed chemical coating to imitate copper alloys.

Authentic period pieces display crisp definition in the relief modelling, natural surface oxidisation, substantial weight, and remnants of hand-finishing or sand-casting lines on the reverse side.

These relief roundels function effectively when mounted on gallery walls, positioned within alcoves, or hung above sideboards to add historical narrative and physical texture against muted wall surfaces.

Remove surface dust regularly using a dry natural-bristle brush, and apply a thin layer of microcrystalline wax with a soft cloth to guard against humidity and surface oxidisation.
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