Rare Antique French Limoges Enamel on Copper Miniature Portrait-Joan of Arc-Gilt

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Rare Antique French Limoges Enamel on Copper Miniature Portrait-Joan of Arc-Gilt:
$1170.00

A fine antique 19th century French Limoges hand painted enamel on copper miniature portrait plaque set in an ornate gilt bronze frame. The portrait depicts Jeanne d\'Arc or aka Joan of Arc in period costuming.

Joan of Arc (French: Jeanne d\'Arc,[4] IPA:[ʒan daʁk]; ca. 1412[5]– 30 May 1431), nicknamed \"The Maid of Orléans\" (French: La Pucelle d\'Orléans), is considered a heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. She was born to a peasant family at Domrémy in north-east France. Joan said she received visions of the Archangel Michael, Saint Margaret and Saint Catherine instructing her to support Charles VII and recover France from English domination late in the Hundred Years\' War. The uncrowned King Charles VII sent Joan to the siege of Orléans as part of a relief mission. She gained prominence after the siege was lifted in only nine days. Several additional swift victories led to Charles VII\'s coronation at Reims. On 23 May 1430, she was captured at Compiègne by the English-allied Burgundian faction, was later handed over to the English,[6] and then put on trial by the pro-English Bishop of Beauvais Pierre Cauchon on a variety of charges,[7] was convicted on 30 May 1431[8] and burned at the stake when she was about 19 years old.[9]

Twenty-five years after her execution, an inquisitorial court authorized by Pope Callixtus III examined the trial, pronounced her innocent, and declared her a martyr.[9] Joan of Arc was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920. She is one of the nine secondary patron saints of France, along with St. Denis, St. Martin of Tours, St. Louis, St. Michael, St. Remi, St. Petronilla, St. Radegund and St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Joan of Arc has been a popular figure in cultural history since the time of her death, and many famous writers, filmmakers and composers have created works about her. Cultural depictions of Joan of Arc have continued in films, theatre, television, video games, music, and performances to this day.

Enameling atop silver or gold foiling add just touch of shimmer and realism to the fabrics, having gilt painted accents. The artist/enamellist achieved every bit of detail in this portrait, from the lady\'s features, to the folds and shadows in her clothing. Simply gorgeous! The enamel is done atop a convex copper plaque, which is then kiln fired. It takes a very special skill to produce such quality work, as the enamel is first applied as a powder which then liquefies as it melts. Quite difficult to work with and to convey imagery such as this fine portrait is not an easy task.Such work illustrates the level of craftsmanship and superb quality that resides in this piece offered here.

Housed in an ornate gilt bronze frame. Surrounding the portrait are for reticulated scrollwork shaped corners...which one is broken and another slightly bent. There is a metal easel on the back for table top display as well as a small loop for hanging display. This gorgeous piece of art is truly stunning and is in wonderful condition for its age. The portrait is in very good to excellent condition. The frame showing general wear from use. The frame, including the wreath final, measures 6 5/8\" in height and 5 1/4\" in width. The portrait measures 3 1/4\" in diameter.