Stunning Antique Royal Vienna Tray/plate spoon rest?
Beautifully hand painted central scene with raised gilding against a rich claret ground.
The painting depicts a snowy scene of Cupid, his bow and arrow discarded, warming himself over a brazier with a man (probably Apollo). Which is most likely a reference to the story of Apollo and Daphne and the chill of unrequited love....a fascinating allegorical tale that the internet will readily provide.
The central painting is beautifully hand painted and framed by a gilded jewelled border of Laurel leaves (another reference to the tale of Apollo and Daphne). There are further raised gilded scrolling leafy motifs upon the red ground.
The tray is an interesting shape which I have been unable to find elsewhere on the net. Maybe a spoon rest? The underside is unglazed and clearly marked with the bindenschild mark (commonly called the beehive mark) and also has the title “Der Winter” painted in overglaze red.
The tray is in excellent undamaged condition with no chips, cracks, crazing or restoration.
Dimensions
19.5 x 19 x 3cm