Minton Paintings

On offer is a stunning set of four framed cabinet plates made by Minton in 1882. The plates are painted by the famous porcelain artist Antonin Boullemier and are framed in gilt Italianate Rococo scroll frames with velvet cartouches. Minton was one of the pioneers of English china production alongside other great potters such as Spode, Davenport, Ridgway, Coalport and others. They were located in Staffordshire and were known specifically for their wonderfully fine white bone china and bright colours; there is a colour called "Minton Blue" which is a fresh azure blue that was very fashionable during the Victorian era. Throughout the different phases of its existence, the factory made top quality creamware, porcelain, majolica and ultimately the finest parian porcelain. Minton excelled in their decorations and gilt work; these were often executed by artists who came from the Sèvres factory in France and brought their skills with them. The plates were decorated by the famous porcelain artist Antonin Boullemier, who was the son of a Sèvres porcelain decorator and was apprenticed and employed by Sèvres before moving the England in 1881, where he was employed by Minton. For many years he worked exclusively for Minton as one of their most celebrated artists; later on his career he started working freelance from his own studio at home for various factories. Boullemier is known for beautiful portraits, cupids and mythological subjects and both 18th Century and contemporary styles. These plates are decorated with charming scenes of a lady and the set may have been meant as depictions of the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. On the first plate you see a young girl standing in the fields, a vegetable garden with bean stalks in the background. It looks like a very British spring day; perhaps sunny but not very warm. On the second plate we see a lady in a dune landscape, the blue sea glittering behind the dunes in the background. The lady's cheeks are flushed - this is obviously a hot summer day. On the third plate you see the lady and a black and white dog in an autumnal forest, spotting a deer that seems to be about to run away. In true Boullemier style, the deer in the background is slightly hazy, creating a realistic mood of an autumnal forest. On the fourth plate we see the lady with a brown dog...