THREE CABINET MINIATURES; ENAMEL

A collection of three cabinet miniatures, including:

Enamel, round-shaped, cabinet miniature (circa 1640-1660); the polychrome painting on enamel on gold, by an unidentified Blésois workshop or Parisian workshop, showing a powerful woman (reminiscent of Anne of Austria, Queen of France) looking into an octagonal mirror with an ebony frame, surrounded by three angels of Love (this plate is a “basinne”-shaped watch case-back; the inner scene showing this lady with her dogs).

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Enamel, round-shaped, cabinet miniature (circa 1640-1660); the polychrome painting on enamel on gold (probably), by an unidentified Blésois workshop or Parisian workshop, showing Venus, goddess of the hunt, surrounded by two maids and her dog (this plate is a “basinne”-shaped watch case-back, now presented in a gold frame; the inner scene showing Venus)

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Enamel, horizontal oval-shaped, cabinet miniature; the polychrome painting on enamel on copper, by an unidentified Genevan workshop (circa 1800), showing Hera, Athena and Aphrodite all claiming the Golden Apple; the conflict between the goddesses leads to the episode of the Judgement of Paris which finally grants the apple to Aphrodite (who promised him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen), an act which will result in the outbreak of the Trojan War. This episode is at the origin of the expression “apple of discord” (the “GoldenApple of Discord”).

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