Featured Can someone tell me what these are?

These came from my great grandmother. They are embossed metal with plywood backing with oval raised images of women in very early styles in iconic fashion. There are no markings on front or back. Does anyone know what are and/or when and where these are from? Thank you for your help!

 

They are very sweet - can you look at them with a loupe or magnifier to see if they're printed or hand painted?

 

Decorative plaques in the mode of early portrait miniatures. With plywood backings, would have to be 30s or later. Possibly, much later. A look at the back might help us to pin it down. Also, is the front embossed paper with foil? Are the portraits printed? Size?

 

Plywood - 30s - got it.

Never can find that info when I need it.

How big are they?

 

They are raised embossed foil and the pictures seem to be printed as I cannot see any brushstrokes. They are 5 1/2 inches by 4 1/8 inches. There are no markings at all on the backs.

 

Not that I know anything about dating these plaques but I was interested in plywood dating which I'd never really looked into. (Match.com? )

Wiki says it was introduced in the US in 1865 and industrial production started shortly after. It also says that artists use plywood as a support for easel paintings to replace traditional canvas or cardboard. Ready-made artist boards for oil painting in three-layered plywood (3-ply) were produced and sold in New York as early as 1880.

 

The first one is Marie Antoinette. Second might be also.
http://bastille-day.com/biography/marie-antoinette

I think 1920s, particularly if the back is covered with a page out of a book.

 

Plywood 1860s got it
Standard 4 x 8 sheets started to be used in building in the late 20s
I sometimes see these in sets strung on ribbon...

 

I'll get a Champagne glass and be right over to check and see if that's Marie.

 

Come on over but I'm drinking procecco

 

OK!
What the heck is that???

 

Sparkling wine! Are you a art person ? Not one who travels!

 

Ah! Yes I am.
Travels?
You've not seen any of my work and probably not other's either.
We had a thread going for everyone's talents. I think it was show us your talent.

 

While plywood was available earlier, it was not in widespread use in this country (US) til the 30s.

 

Say "Yes!" first - figure it out later... I like your style, KOT!

 

Ha!!!
Why thank you scout!

 

Wasn't it used in thin sheets, pre-layered-building-material we're all so familiar with? Seems to me I've seen it on the backs of old mirrors and such. Am I wrong?

Not really talking about these miniatures, which are decorative - I imagine came from a department or furniture store.

 

Some other interesting musings and corrections to musings on the subject of plywood:

Woodweb

One point being made is that plywood is veneer, and has been in use for a long, long time - in some form or other.

 

Unless the boat was hit by anything serious, plywood made PT boats what they were, light, strong and FAST >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This also made them hard to hit, especially at night.
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Think President Kennedy and McHale's Navy.
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