Relief of Limoges, France, 19th century.

Relief of Limoges, France, 19th century.
Gilded and enameled bronze.
Fabric lined background.
Measurements: 18 x 8 x 1 cm.

Nineteenth century relief from Limoges representing a saint inside a niche with gothic crests. Lobed motifs embellish the structure. The Limoges workshop appeared in the last quarter of the 12th century and continued its activity until the 14th century. It flourished again in the 15th century, with the new technique of painted enamel. It will be the most important enamel workshop, above the Rhineland and Meuse, which disappeared in the 12th century and were dedicated to the production of single plates by order, which were then mounted on an object or joined together to form altar frontals. In Limoges, on the other hand, the production of objects, no longer just plaques, decorated with enamels, was launched, especially for religious but also for secular use. They are cheaper pieces, with copper base, and very showy for the enameled decoration, so they enjoyed a huge and immediate success throughout Europe. Limoges is also mentioned in documents, which indicates that it was a transcendent center known throughout Western Europe.