CURIOSA Five bisque porcelain lithophane plates with erotic

Sale 2309 - Lot 94

Price Realized: $ 3,840

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900

SCARCE OPTICAL MINIATURES (CURIOSA.) Five bisque porcelain lithophane plates with erotic subjects. Likely French or German. Each 52x41 mm; 2x1 5/8 inches, laid into contemporary leather box partially lined in satin with small metal clasp, quite worn. Circa 1840

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Lithophanes are thin panels of glazed, translucent china that, when a strong light shines through from the back side, transform the relief into a delicate toned chiaroscuro scene, similar to a mezzotint. The process was invented by Baron de Bourgoing, who patented it in Paris in 1827. They were designed to be hung in windows or displayed before candle or firelight and were later adapted to lamp shades. Atypical examples of a process that generally featured religious themes, four of these lithophanes show a male and female coupling while the fifth features a limber woman with three members of the infantry. They are dressed from different time periods in domestic, ordinary settings.