Is this royal vienna plate, a fake?

I've been told the "beehive" needs to be oriented vis a vis the name, so that's a beehive and not a shield. is that really true?

 

The Assault? That seems a little strange?

 

what does that mean "the assault"?

I think it says "L'Assaut." or something. or is that the translation?

 

SBSVC suggested an article to someone on a different thread some time ago
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/royal-vienna-beehive-or-shield-mark-148563

Forget the L'Assaut...it appears to be a surname.

The marks above were on the internet, they are supposedly showing some Royal Vienna marks.

Here is a plate "like" yours (but looks real to me)
https://www.bidsquare.com/online-au...vienna-signed-porcelain-cabinet-plate-1027527

 

I hope for you that it is genuine...it went for a hefty price on this site.
Let the others tell you more, though, first.

 

If it's a fake, it's better than the original!

No question about it - spectacular!

 

It looks like she is being "attacked" by the cherubs which is where the title of the image originates.

Can you possibly give us some close up photos of the painting? The quality of the painting can help in deciding real deal from other.

I agree with blooey though, it is quite gorgeous.

 

I do not have more pics. This was at an online auction in los Angeles I just happen to be watching. It had a lot of Meissen and stuff like that so it was interesting. Im in MD and dont like to have things shipped as it costs to much, so it was just out curiousity I happen to catch that. It was opening bid $1000 and it passed; no one bid.

 

The plate on the site link I sent had an estimate of $200-$300 but it sold for $1200.

 

That screams quality . if its a fake its a very good one.

 

I'm amused by the activities represented at the cardinal points: painting/art & music, pursuits of the mind; also butterfly collecting & archery. The latter 2 would have been understood as allusions to Cupid. His beloved, Psyche, is traditionally represented with butterfly wings, or merely indicated by an actual butterfly. The target looks to me like it has a heart bullseye. If the crossed items are torches, or a torch & a quiver, these are also attributes of the little love god. As already noted, the lady is under assault & trying to protect her heart.

 

After starting at $100. Is the signature the same on both?

https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/5855/117880/60548214_3_x.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&version=1521048796

 

If that's a fake, it's one up on the real ones. Whoever did the painting was a real talent.

 

It does seem like good quality, and the interesting things about the assault and the allusions to cupid all seem like something that had a lot of thought put into it.

That said, then what about my original thought that the beehive is oriented upside down with respect to the words? Doesnt that reference site that was cited above also suggest that an upside down beehive is a bad sign?

 

Maybe this will give you heart:

https://antique-marks.com/vienna-porcelain-marks.html

Ackermann& Fritze definitely did this sort of thing, elaborate decoration & lots of gold around the edges, mythological subject in the middle. Imagine they weren't alone.

https://www.aspireauctions.com/#!/catalog/350/1802/lot/78620



So much time, work & skill would have to go into making a fake of this quality, not too sure there would be any profit.

 

Uh oh. From site given above:

9. Any bottom description of a decoration or scene indicates that the piece was not decorated in the Vienna manufactory.

 

AFAIK, these plates, some of very good quality and others of lesser quality are all made in the latter 19th c of various German/Austrian/Bohemian manufacture.