140 - LIMOGES, late 16th century, early 17th century
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Estimate €10,000 - €15,000

Description

LIMOGES, late 16th century, early 17th century Enamelled copper plaque depicting Saint Michael standing on clouds against a black background, wearing a blue breastplate and a purple tunic, with rainbow-coloured wings spread wide, the whole within a gilt fillet frame Several labels on the reverse, one of which bears the inscription ‘Exp. Romani 1775’ H. 23 cm – W. 17 cm Cracks, small chips and restorations In a velvet frame with a bronze moulding, Provenance: -Probably the collection of Charles DUCATEL (1825–1889) -Probably sold on 21–26 April 1890 at DROUOT during the sale of the Charles DUCATEL collection, lot number 125 - Acquired from an antique dealer in the 1950s - Dauphinoise Collection, then passed down through the family Related work: Given the quality, dimensions and pigments used, this panel should be associated with the group from the collection of Didier Petit de Meurville (1793–1873), now held at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Lyon (inventory no. H 471). Assembled into a triptych by the collector in the 19th century, it appears that this set forms part of a much larger altarpiece which is thought to have consisted of at least forty-nine panels, divided up and scattered throughout the Lyon region during the French Revolution. Whilst forty-two panels have been recovered, some remain untraced. It would therefore be the largest known altarpiece in painted enamel. It is thought to have been created between 1575 and 1625. Following the acquisition of a twenty-eighth panel, the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Lyon organised a special exhibition entitled ‘The Scattered Altarpiece’ from 1 April to 19 June 2006, showcasing this significant collection and bringing together other panels held at the Louvre, the Musée de Limoges and the Bargello in Florence. Our panel bears a particularly close resemblance to the one held at the Lyon Museum of Fine Arts under inventory number X60-b-7. Background: In her article “The Great Painted Enamel Altarpiece from Limoges at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon”, Anne-Marie BAUTIER refers in particular to a panel whose current location is unknown, described as depicting “an angel standing on clouds. He is clad in a long, flowing tunic and a sort of breastplate’ – presumably Saint Michael – which was offered for sale as lot 125 in the DUCATEL collection auction in 1890. The description in that sale catalogue, although brief, suggests that this plaque is the one we are presenting here. We would like to thank the team at the Lyon Museum of Fine Arts for their assistance in comparing the plaque on display with those held in the Museum’s collection. Bibliography: -Anne-Marie Bautier, “The Great Limoges Painted Enamel Altarpiece at the Lyon Museum of Fine Arts”, Bulletin des musées et monuments lyonnais, no. 4, 1988, pp. 2–33. -Laurence Tilliard & Marie Gautheron, “The Enigma of the Scattered Altarpiece”, Press Kit, Lyon Museum of Fine Arts.

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About the sale CONTENTS OF A ROMAN FLAT & MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS – FURNITURE AND WORKS OF ART – ART NOUVEAU – ART DÉCO

Auction location

Auction time 09/26/2026 at 2:30 PM

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140 - LIMOGES, late 16th century, early 17th century See original version (French)

140 - LIMOGES, late 16th century, early 17th century
See original version (French)