Object Description
Antique Viennese painted enamel plate by Ludwig Politzer
Viennese, Late 19th Century
Height 3cm, width 30cm, depth 20.5cm
This exceptional Viennese enamel tray was crafted by Ludwig Politzer (1841-1907), one of the most important enamel artists of the late 19th century. Renowned for his masterful work in the Renaissance Revival style, Politzer’s pieces, such as this tray, exemplify the artistic and technical skill that made his work so popular at World Fairs and within Imperial collections.
The tray features a central octagonal panel, surrounded by eight alternating shallow panels, each delicately painted with scenes from classical mythology. The vibrant palette of pinks, blues, purples, and yellows unites the imagery across all nine panels. French inscriptions on the underside of the tray reveal the titles of each mythological vignette, highlighting the Neoclassical themes popular during the time. The reverse of the tray is decorated with intricate floral sprays, scrolling motifs, and objects such as swords, vases, and lyres, all set on a pastel pink background.
Each panel is framed with engraved ormolu borders featuring a refined intertwining design, while the corners are adorned with enamel masks of cherubic faces, painted with red and blue wings. The tray’s two shorter sides are fitted with twin scrolling handles that echo the same colour scheme.
The bronze frame of the tray is stamped multiple times with the initials “LP,” confirming its origin as a work by Ludwig Politzer. Politzer’s contributions to the Renaissance Revival style—also known as Historismus—are well-regarded, and his pieces are housed in prestigious institutions such as the Victoria & Albert Museum. This tray, with its elaborate painted scenes and ormolu decoration, is a rare and striking example of Politzer’s artistic legacy.