What is a 19th-century painted porcelain plaque?

During the nineteenth century, artisans painted fine mineral pigments onto smooth porcelain panels, which were subsequently fired at high temperatures to permanently fuse the artwork into the glazed surface. These pieces frequently depicted detailed copies of Old Master paintings, classical portraiture, or biblical narratives.

What materials were traditionally used to frame porcelain plaques?

Porcelain plaques were typically set into hand-carved wood or moulded gesso frames finished with water gilded or oil gilded gold leaf. The frames frequently featured ornate relief patterns, such as acanthus leaf scrollwork or Rococo revival flourishes, designed to enhance the delicate ceramic miniature.

How can one identify an authentic 19th-century porcelain plaque?

Authentic period plaques usually display impressed numerical codes or maker marks on the unglazed ceramic reverse, alongside visible brushstrokes under magnification rather than mechanical dot-matrix printing. Examining the back often reveals period mounting methods and light natural wear to the gilded frame edges.

How can a gilded framed porcelain plaque be styled in a modern interior?

A small gilded plaque can be integrated into a contemporary gallery wall alongside simple black-framed prints to create structural contrast. Alternatively, displaying the item on a brass plate stand atop a sideboard or nestled within a narrow wall niche adds a focal point of historic narrative art.

How should an antique porcelain plaque and gilt frame be cleaned and preserved?

Dust the porcelain surface gently using a dry, lint-free microfibre cloth, avoiding liquid solvents or harsh abrasive cleaners. The giltwood or gesso frame should be lightly dusted with a soft camel-hair brush to prevent disturbing fragile, aged gold leaf surface layers.

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Antique Porcelain Plaque in Gilded Frame of Abraham19th C

Name: Antique Porcelain Plaque in Gilded Frame of Abraham19th C
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1112491
Availability: SoldOut

19th century

Sold by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a magnificent and finely painted porcelain plaque, probably Berlin, finely painted with a portrait of Abraham expelling Hagar and her son, in a stunning giltwood frame.

The plaque is depicted in warm colours which convey softness and harmony and it is finished in great detail to the highest of standards.

It is is set within its original antique giltwood frame, which adds extra elegance to this splendid piece.

Add this beautiful plaque to any wall in your home.

Condition:

The plaque and the frame both in excellent condition, with only very minor signs of wear commensurate with age and use, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 25 cm x Width 20 cm x Depth 4.5 cm - Frame

Height 17 cm x Width 12 cm - Plaque

Dimensions in inches:

Height 10 inches x Width 8 inches x Depth 2 inches - Frame

Height 7 inches x Width 5 inches - Plaque

The Royal Porcelain Factory in Berlin German: Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin, abbreviated as KPM, also known as the Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin and whose products are generally called Berlin porcelain, was founded in 1763 by King Frederick II of Prussia (known as Frederick the Great). Its actual origins, however, lie in three private enterprises which, under crown patronage, were trying to establish the production of "white gold" (i.e. porcelain) in Berlin from the mid-18th century onwards.

The company logo is a cobalt blue sceptre, which is stamped painted prior to 1837 on every piece. All painted pieces produced by KPM are signed by the painter. KPM is still producing to this day; each piece of dishware and decorative porcelain is entirely unique.

KPM has produced a number of dishware forms and porcelain figurines throughout its history. Some forms have hardly changed their shape in over 200 years of production. Frederick the Great, who, as the owner, jokingly referred to himself as his own "best customer", was under the spell of the Rococo style during his life; a culmination of this artistic style can be seen in his castles.

To this day, the most successful designs of the 1930s are the Urbino, Urania and Arkadia (originally a tea set designed in honor of KPM's 175th anniversary) created by Trude Petri. The Arkadia medallions were created by Siegmund Schütz and the Urania set (with the same basic form as the Arkadia) did not enter production until after the war, as was also the case with the Arkadia table set. Porcelain figurines of different styles corresponding to each era have always been created under the guidance of the master workshop, including the modern animal sculptures, such as the miniature Buddy Bear or the Knut Bear.

Our reference: A4230

Physical Dimensions

Height

25cm (9.84")

Width

20cm (7.87")

Depth

4.5cm (1.77")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Gilded Porcelain Painted Plaque to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1112491

Dealers Internal Reference

A4230

Description

This is a magnificent and finely painted porcelain plaque, probably Berlin, finely painted with a portrait of Abraham expelling Hagar and her son, in a stunning giltwood frame.

“

The plaque is depicted in warm colours which convey softness and harmony and it is finished in great detail to the highest of standards.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. A nineteenth-century rectangular hand-painted porcelain plaque depicting figures in biblical attire within a heavily pierced gilded Rococo style frame. — fig 1. Antique Porcelain Plaque in Gilded Frame of Abraham19th C

It is is set within its original antique giltwood frame, which adds extra elegance to this splendid piece.

Add this beautiful plaque to any wall in your home.

Condition:

The plaque and the frame both in excellent condition, with only very minor signs of wear commensurate with age and use, please see photos for confirmation.

fig 2. A nineteenth-century rectangular hand-painted porcelain plaque depicting figures in biblical attire within a heavily pierced gilded Rococo style frame. — fig 2. Antique Porcelain Plaque in Gilded Frame of Abraham19th C

Dimensions in cm:

Height 25 cm x Width 20 cm x Depth 4.5 cm - Frame

Height 17 cm x Width 12 cm - Plaque

Dimensions in inches:

Height 10 inches x Width 8 inches x Depth 2 inches - Frame

Height 7 inches x Width 5 inches - Plaque

fig 3. A nineteenth-century rectangular hand-painted porcelain plaque depicting figures in biblical attire within a heavily pierced gilded Rococo style frame. — fig 3. Antique Porcelain Plaque in Gilded Frame of Abraham19th C

The Royal Porcelain Factory in Berlin German: Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin, abbreviated as KPM, also known as the Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin and whose products are generally called Berlin porcelain, was founded in 1763 by King Frederick II of Prussia (known as Frederick the Great). Its actual origins, however, lie in three private enterprises which, under crown patronage, were trying to establish the production of "white gold" (i.e. porcelain) in Berlin from the mid-18th century onwards.

fig 4. A nineteenth-century rectangular hand-painted porcelain plaque depicting figures in biblical attire within a heavily pierced gilded Rococo style frame. — fig 4. Antique Porcelain Plaque in Gilded Frame of Abraham19th C

The company logo is a cobalt blue sceptre, which is stamped painted prior to 1837 on every piece. All painted pieces produced by KPM are signed by the painter. KPM is still producing to this day; each piece of dishware and decorative porcelain is entirely unique.

fig 5. A nineteenth-century rectangular hand-painted porcelain plaque depicting figures in biblical attire within a heavily pierced gilded Rococo style frame. — fig 5. Antique Porcelain Plaque in Gilded Frame of Abraham19th C

KPM has produced a number of dishware forms and porcelain figurines throughout its history. Some forms have hardly changed their shape in over 200 years of production. Frederick the Great, who, as the owner, jokingly referred to himself as his own "best customer", was under the spell of the Rococo style during his life; a culmination of this artistic style can be seen in his castles.

fig 6. A nineteenth-century rectangular hand-painted porcelain plaque depicting figures in biblical attire within a heavily pierced gilded Rococo style frame. — fig 6. Antique Porcelain Plaque in Gilded Frame of Abraham19th C

To this day, the most successful designs of the 1930s are the Urbino, Urania and Arkadia (originally a tea set designed in honor of KPM's 175th anniversary) created by Trude Petri. The Arkadia medallions were created by Siegmund Schütz and the Urania set (with the same basic form as the Arkadia) did not enter production until after the war, as was also the case with the Arkadia table set. Porcelain figurines of different styles corresponding to each era have always been created under the guidance of the master workshop, including the modern animal sculptures, such as the miniature Buddy Bear or the Knut Bear.

Our reference: A4230