Beautiful antique late-19th-century French/Continental porcelain plaque, decorated in the Sèvres style with an exceptionally detailed hand-painted classical female figure.

The large oval plaque measures approximately 10 inches high by 7 inches wide. The central scene depicts a classically dressed woman carrying a small urn or vessel on a tray, painted against a gilt ground. She is surrounded by an elaborate architectural-style border in deep burgundy and mauve tones accented by four raised turquoise-colored jewel/cabochon decorations.

The combination of finely painted figural decoration, rich gilt ground, jewel-like ornament and unusual large oval format gives the plaque a particularly striking appearance.

The reverse is almost completely covered with old hardened adhesive/mastic and remnants from a previous mounting. This strongly suggests that the plaque was originally incorporated into a larger decorative object, frame, cabinet, furniture panel or similar mount. The original application is unknown.

The old material on the reverse has been left completely untouched and has not been cleaned or removed.

The painted surface shows age-related wear including scratches, rubbing and losses to portions of the gilt ground and decoration, as pictured. Please examine all photographs closely for exact condition.

No maker’s mark is visible because of the old material covering the reverse. Accordingly, the piece is being described as French/Continental Sèvres style rather than attributed to the Sèvres factory.