{HISTORY}

Every time we run across antique portrait plates bearing images of beautiful women wrapped in trailing head scarves, we think of early aviation and emerging independence for women. Although these two portraits have nothing to do with airplanes, despite their aviator-style scarves, they do portray an idealized type of woman who garnered much respect and admiration during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Possibly featuring portraits of Queen Louise of Prussia and her sister Princess Frederica, these two portrait plates were made sometime during the late 1800s. Serving as symbols for women of the Victorian era, just like the American Gibson Girls of the late 1800s to early 1900s, Queen Louise of Prussia (1797-1810) was considered the ideal model of womanhood during the early 19th century.

Sweet of nature, strong of character, exceedingly beautiful, noble, kind, and loyal to her family and her country, Louise was a beloved figure in history. The mother of nine children and wife to King Frederick William III, Louise was very charitable and compassionate to others in need and she became influential during the Napoleonic Wars when she personally met and pleaded with Naploean for peace for her country. 

Likewise, Louise's sister, Frederica (1778-1841), also known as Princess Frederica of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and later Queen Consort of Hanover, was also prized for her beauty. Very close during their lifetimes, the sisters were often described as charming and well-educated. They both looked alike, married brothers, and went on to create families of their own. 

Tragedy struck when Queen Louise died from a sudden illness at the age of 34, but this early death, combined with her admirable character, beauty, and political influence, immortalized Louise in the eyes of her country. Like royalty today, Louise's image was suddenly everywhere.

Despite two famous commissioned paintings done by Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun and Josef Grassi, images of Queen Louise vary throughout history. These two plates feature portraits that look very similar to Louise and Frederica (Louise pictured here with the dark brown hair and Frederica with the lighter cinnamon colored hair). There is a possibility that these two plates could also both feature Queen Louise, as reinterpreted by different artists.

Either way, these dinner-size plates with their gold floral swags and colorful imagery are really pretty, especially when viewed or displayed side by side. Unmarked as to maker or manufacturer, they each feature various shades of wear, which gives them a lovely aged aesthetic and interesting character. 

While we have seen many antique portrait plates featuring women adorned with flowing scarves in the past, this is the first time we've seen this type of gold filigree swag design paired with a female portrait. We have also never run across any other portrait plates featuring Frederica's image (aka the woman with the lighter brown hair) before. Both plates excude a lovely sense of confidence and poise. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Pair of two portrait plates
• Gold floral filigree
• Colors include steel grey, peach, chestnut, mustard, gold, dove, brick, pale blue, coral, cinnamon and apricot
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{CONDITION}

In aged antique condition, these two plates contain no chips, cracks or stains. They do have some light wear of the gold floral swag, and some light utensil marks across the transferware portraits. The utensil marks are mostly apparent when looking at the plates up close but fade when viewed from a distance. Originally, both plates contained stripes around the rims, but they have faded over time. The back of the Louise plate conatins some staining at the edge whiuxch cannot be viewed from the front. Please see photos. 

{SIZE}

Each plate measures 10" inches (diameter) and weighs between 1.9 lbs and 1.10 lbs

{FOR THE COLLECTOR}

Find more portrait plates in the shop here.