Limoges enamel plaque depicting Venus in a chariot drawn by doves and attended by three cupids; firmly attributed to Jean II Penicaud; painted in grisaille, partly gilt, on a copper support; based on scene from Virgil's Aeneid, adapted from a contemporary engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi; on reverse, marked with a crowned 'P'; also on reverse, labels indicating its lot number and description in the Fountaine Sale, Christies, June 1884; from the collection of Sir Andrew Fountaine, Narford Hall, Norfolk
From the early medieval period Limoges in France was an important European centre for the production of enamels. Enamelling derived from glass-making and involves different methods of laying powdered glass onto a metal backing. When fired the glass liquefies then re-forms into a hard, vitreous layer. It is a highly-skilled art, much in demand for small decorative objects and jewellery.
The plaque was bought in Italy around 1720 by Sir Andrew Fountaine (1676-1753), a noted art connoisseur and traveller who amassed one of the most important collections ever held in Norfolk. He had a huge collection of Renaissance works of art, including many Limoges enamels, at his home, Narford Hall. This collection was sold in 1884. The plaque is now the only remaining Renaissance artefact known to be in Norfolk.