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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Dean Perdue on October 09, 2009, 12:48:13 PM

Title: Madonna or Joan of Arc???
Post by: Dean Perdue on October 09, 2009, 12:48:13 PM

Got this from a seller that described it as a Madonna brought back by his grandmother in 1906 on her wedding trip that included Italy,Germany,France,and Egypt.

There were quite a few of his grandmother's antiques he was getting rid of and he even had the postcards  sent by her from this trip.

Can't really understand why he was selling this stuff off unless the bad economy is to blame,but am sure glad it fell into my hands.

Kind of looked like the grandson who inherited these antiques appreciated money more than what his grandmother handed down to him.Don't know this for sure but it's a shame if thats the case.

Seemed like a piece that was not mass produced judging by the lack of any markings.It does have quite a bit of crazing going on.

I thought it looked more like Joan of Arc than a Madonna and if anyone cares to take a stab at where it came from,date,or subject matter I'm definitely interested to hear what you have to say.

Thanks

Title: Re: Madonna or Joan of Arc???
Post by: D&b antiques on October 09, 2009, 01:42:52 PM

I agree it's joan of Arc. but may be english or french. & I'am leaning English

Title: Re: Madonna or Joan of Arc???
Post by: Dean Perdue on October 09, 2009, 02:02:28 PM

Thanks D&B.
At least this may fit in with the seller's story.
Think the age looks about right and why no markings?Any guesses.

Title: Re: Madonna or Joan of Arc???
Post by: D&b antiques on October 09, 2009, 02:34:34 PM

 :-[ marking's did'nt become popular until the 19th century. lot's of valuable figures pottery etc left unmarked waiting for discovery. what does she appear to be made of ?

Title: Re: Madonna or Joan of Arc???
Post by: Dean Perdue on October 09, 2009, 04:15:42 PM

Looks like a tan in color ceramic???

Looking closer at the back I can barely see 2 things that might possibly be something, but they are very tough to make out.

The first picture appears to be a light marking in pencil.

The second picture looks like it may be a gold colored marking.

I didn't see them until now and maybe nothing but just in case.

Title: Re: Madonna or Joan of Arc???
Post by: KC on October 09, 2009, 04:18:44 PM

They definitely look like someone tried to leave their mark....just hard to see!

I would also agree that this this looks like Joan of Arc.

Made by an individual.

Title: Re: Madonna or Joan of Arc???
Post by: Dean Perdue on October 09, 2009, 04:28:59 PM

Thanks KC

The marks look better on the screen than they do on the piece.
I can barely see them and did a double take to make sure it wasn't my imagination.
Thinking the penciled one may be the original owner putting her name on it, but who knows.

Title: Re: Madonna or Joan of Arc???
Post by: ironlord1963 on October 09, 2009, 08:53:41 PM

If you have a tripod for your camera, try taking a picture with little light long exposure, then in photoshop, boost the contrast.  This can sometimes bring out the markings better, too much light on the subject will wash out the surface of the object.

Title: Re: Madonna or Joan of Arc???
Post by: Dean Perdue on October 09, 2009, 10:03:59 PM

Thank you Ironlord.
Need all the help I can get in photography.I'll look into a tripod and give it a try.

Title: Re: Madonna or Joan of Arc???
Post by: cogar on October 10, 2009, 06:40:00 AM

Photograph it outside in natural light but not direct sunlight.

Natural light is polarized light which means the light rays or photons are travelling parallel to each other and thus they only strike the surface from 1 direction instead of from "all directions" and thus minute details will show up more plainly.

I'll post pictures of a platter "mark" if you want to see the difference.

Title: Re: Madonna or Joan of Arc???
Post by: KC on October 10, 2009, 12:35:05 PM

Great advice from cogar there...I have learned a quite a few myself from from him!