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MONUMENTAL ROYAL VIENNA HANDPAINTED CHARGER.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
MONUMENTAL ROYAL VIENNA HANDPAINTED CHARGER.
Circa 1890, Germany. Octagonal in form and decorated with a scene depicting the Meeting the Hero and Leander at the Temple of Venus. The border of classical taste with 8 bust cameos separated with elaborate raised gilt enamel cartouches on pink, red and cobalt ground. Finely executed artwork and signed lower left "Wilhelmi." Underside with underglaze blue beehive marking and inscribed overglaze, "Leander ablicht Hero im Tempel der Venus." The painting was inspired by the Greek legend of Hero and Leander. Hero was a Priestess of Aphrodite that lived in a tower in Sestos, Leander was a young man from Abydos on the opposite side of the strait. Leander fell in love with Hero and would swim every night across the Hellespont to be with her. Hero would light a lamp at the top of her tower to guide his way. SIZE: 24" dia. PROVENANCE: Was gifted to the present owner's grandparents, Grace and Ernest Birch, who were the head cook and butler at the Elms in Newport, RI. Mansion owned by the Edward Berwind family in the early to mid 20th century. Accompanying letter of provenance. CONDITION: Very good with very minor wear to gilt on rim in a few scattered areas. 7-70606