Featured Have you got a prettier piece of porcelain than this?

My wife collects Worcester blush miniatures, but even so she thought this piece was simply superb.

Incredibly delicate, yet in great condition, just 4" diameter and 2.5" tall, decorated by Georg Heufel and with an unidentified signature.

I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder but it would have to be something pretty special to top this.

 

I can see why she loves it!

 

No, can't do any better!

 

With Valentine's Day approaching I have to wonder if there will be "sweets for the sweetest" on that plate?

 

Very pretty.

 

Not necessarily my taste but quite beautiful and an excellent example of why hand painted porcelain is, and should be, considered an art form.
Don

 

it is indeed special !

 

I am prepared!
The plate will be different.

 

RHIW, I'm going to simply agree with DGBJWC!

 

I would love to see some contenders for the crown!

 

Kristiann, that is an awful lot of sweets.

Not sure about being romantic after eating all those

 

U be romantic.....WHILE eating those !!!!

 

Ah, but it's all a matter of personal taste, isn't it? My college roommate's mother had a home filled with cherubs, and it scarred me for life!

 

I'm sure they were just putti in your hands

 

In the world of engraved gems, a butterfly represents Psyche.

 

Bronwen, can you explain further please. Is this the Psyche from Cupid and Psyche?

How would you interpret the paintings on the miniature tazza?

 

Yep, the Psyche of Cupid & Psyche, whose marriage represents the union of physical desire with spiritual love. For the Greeks, 'psyche' had a more complex meaning than any of the single words used to translate it in English. In engraved gems of Athena animating the Man made by Prometheus, a butterfly symbolizes the endowed life force.

The imagery of the tazza is antique valentine fare. One of Cupid's arrows hitting its heart target, the small 'c' cupid winging along the edge bearing a wreath of myrtle, a plant sacred to Aphrodite. (Queen Victoria carried a myrtle bouquet at her wedding; Kate Middleton's bouquet had sprigs from the same plant.) As a wreath there is the combined meaning of love & victory. The target is also draped with myrtle. The winged bust at 7 o'clock may be meant to signify heavenly approval, or just round out the composition (or both).

 

Thank you Bronwen, very much appreciated