Here is a superb late 19th Century Vienna `style porcelain tray hand painted with six young women, set in a gilt frame inset with four porcelain plaques each containing a portrait of a young woman, surrounded by a further ten small porcelain medallions with gilded birds and flowers.
The frame is gilded wood with gilt gesso mouding, and gilded metal foliate decoration.
The porcelain painting is signed by the artist Johner, and on the underside of the tray is the title of the piece - ''Fruhlingsreigen'' which is loosely translated as ''Spring Dance'' - the girls depicted in diaphanous dresses, enjoying an early spring garden filled with pastel flowers, light and promise.
Interestingly Christies sold a matching piece on a Gueridon in 2013 - also by the artist Johner (entitled ''Herstrigen'') with the same girls - this time holding fruits and berries, painted in autumnal hues which makes me think that there were likely four - one for each season.
On the reverse of the tray a
...re four marks / inscriptions -
''Fruhlingsreignen'',
''Made in Vienna'' underneath a monogram,
a Blue Beehive,
The initials RP with the number 1124 that is a possible museum accession code.
The piece is in really excellent condition - the porcelain rich and vibrant with gilding as bright and sumptuous as the day it was applied. The frame is also in excellent condition, having been professionally cleaned and restored.
Overall the piece is large and measures 75cm by 60cm, and is about 5cm deep.
Please don''t hesitate to get in touch if I can provide any further information or photographs.
I offer free postage to mainland UK, and can arrange quotes and postage for shipping overseas.
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA962049
Dateline of this antique is 19th Century
Height is 5cm (2.0inches)Width is 75cm (29.5inches)Depth is 60cm (23.6inches)
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