Posted 9 years ago
EmmaPeel
(10 items)
This was my first week to receive the Art Nouveau list of eBay items from Collectors' Weekly. Oh, my! I thought I was a shop-a-holic when I got the Arts & Crafts list! I'm even weaker when it comes to resisting beautiful Art Nouveau goodies! I've bought 3 already this week, and I'm watching some others, too. This one was described as a Garden Plaque, but it's definitely destined for my bedroom wall. It's a cast iron plaque, but the entire back has a silvery finish, and so do many of the low points of the front design. In addition, there is definitely a bronze wash of some sort on the front. I briefly dared to hope that it was a bronze, but a magnet sticks to it, so it is iron. The seller said it was kept outside for a long time. Considering that, it is in great shape. There are only a few bits of rust, and a few green spots on the bronze. There are no identifying marks. I have named her "Ophelia", because it looks like a scene from "Hamlet". IMO, she is prettier than many haughty Art Nouveau women. She has long flowing hair, which she has decorated with poppies. She could be mistaken for a fairy, but she has no wings. She is leaning on a low branch on the bank of a body of water which contains 2 fish. The larger fish looks like a type I've seen in other older art. The plaque has great detail, from the vegetation to Ophelia's garment. There are daisies and poppies, which represent innocence and oblivion. (Fitting, if it IS Ophelia!) I would appreciate any info I can get as to its age, who may have made it, and anything I could do to enhance or protect its beauty. Thank you!
Lovely acquisition.