1918 Ernst Bastanier Enamel Plaque
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GUEST:
It belonged to my mother and I inherited it. And I know that it's German because it says so on the front. (laughs) And that's about it.
APPRAISER:
We talked about the subject matter here.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
And we identified it as a harpy. What does a harpy do?
GUEST:
Harpies had the job of taking evildoers away to wherever evildoers were taken away to in mythology.
APPRAISER:
Right. And he looks like he's ready to go.
GUEST:
(laughs).
APPRAISER:
It's a very interesting plaque. It is a form of enamel that's traditionally called Limoges enamel. They take very, very finely, finely ground glass And they put it onto a copper plate, which is scored with an area where you get to see a figure, and then they put it in and they fire it up very, very hot. And it turns into this very glassy, beautiful translucent surface.
GUEST:
I see.
APPRAISER:
And if you look on the back here, you could see the copper plate showing through.
GUEST:
Uh-huh.
APPRAISER:
Traditionally, you find these in France, but this one happens to be made from Germany. And it's signed here Ernst Bastanier, and also says, "Berlin 1918." Which is fairly late for one of these plaques, but it's really, really good classical subject, very well done. One of this size and of this quality is probably worth $7,000 or $8,000.
GUEST:
Wow.
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