51 - Set of three plates; France, Limoges, XVII century.

Set of three plates; France, Limoges, XVII century. Enameled plates, cobalt blue, lead white and gold dust on copper. Mounting with silver corner pieces, punched "J. Roca", second third of the 20th century. Punched. Measurements. 10 x 21 cm; 10 x 10 cm (x2): 31 x 38 cm (frame). Set formed by three enameled plates that present scenes of religious character: the Crossing of the Red Sea, the Golden Calf and the Burning Bush. The three reproduce the homonymous frescoes by Raphael, located in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City. The Limoges workshop appeared in the last quarter of the 12th century and continued its activity until the 14th century. In the 15th century it flourished again, with the new technique of painted enamel. It will be the most important enamel workshop, above the Rhineland and Meuse, which disappeared in the 12th century and were dedicated to the production of single plates by order, which were then mounted on an object or joined together to form altar frontals. In Limoges, on the other hand, the production of objects, no longer just plaques, decorated with enamels, was launched, especially for religious but also for secular use. They are cheaper pieces, with copper base, and very showy for the enameled decoration, so they enjoyed a huge and immediate success throughout Europe. Limoges is also mentioned in documents, which indicates that it was a transcendent center known throughout Western Europe.