Glazed Terracotta Plaque of Louis XVI
£550
An unusual glazed terracotta plaque of Louis XVI, the king shown in profile, facing dexter, and with a bright greenish-yellow glaze. Dated on the reverse ANNO MDCCLXXXIV
Height 19 cm (7.5 inches)
Width 16 cm (6.25 inches)
dated 1784, French or Italian
The most famous exponent of terracotta portrait plaques in mid 18th century France was Jean-Baptiste (Giovanni Battista) Nini (1717-1786). Born in Urbino in Italy, he studied under his ceramicist father in Bologna, then moved to Madrid before settling in France where, in 1750, he started producing the plaques for which he is now famous. Invariably circular, none have appeared glazed, so the present plaque, though obviously inspired by him, is more than likely by another hand.
