Up for auction is a beautiful antique miniature portrait painting on a porcelain plaque depicting the famous "Baby Stuart" (James II as a child), rendered after the original 17th-century masterpiece by Sir Anthony van Dyck. The piece is beautifully housed in its period-accurate, heavily decorated openwork frame.
The framed dimensions are 9.5 x 6.75 while the ceramic tile is 5 x 3.5.
Portrait: Exquisitely hand-painted miniature on a rectangular porcelain plaque. The blending of colors on the face, the bonnet, and the blue garments showcases remarkable skill. This miniature features masterful multi-fired overglaze enamel work. Because the mineral pigments are permanently fused into the glaze, the colors will never fade, crack, or yellow like a standard paper print or oil painting.
Frame: Genuinely hand-carved wood featuring a scrolling, ornate openwork pattern. It is finished with a traditional white plaster gesso ground layer and layered with metallic gold gilding.
Porcelain Plaque: Excellent antique condition. No cracks, deep scratches, chips, or flea bites detected on the porcelain body. Colors remain vibrant.
Gilt Frame: Showing authentic, age-appropriate wear. There is noticeable gesso flaking and gold leaf loss along the outer edges and decorative scrollwork tips, exposing the white chalky plaster underneath (clearly visible in the photos of the back). The structure remains solid and includes an old wire hanger. There are two sections of damaged scrollwork as seen in the pictures.
Please review all high-resolution photographs carefully as they constitute the primary part of this condition description.
Shipping & Handling: This highly fragile item will be meticulously packed using multiple layers of professional bubble wrap and double-boxed to ensure safe transit. Full shipping insurance is included.