An artistic religious plaque by George Hunt
Price: £1,350
For sale is this very accomplished and intriguing enamel plaque by George Hunt dated 1929. The plaque has a manifestly religious theme of Jesus “casting the nets” (Luke 5:4-11) and uses the french grissaile technique (monochrome). These factors somewhat disguise what is a very artistic and technically accomplished plaque, worthy of a second look.
Firstly, the artistic design is fascinating. Hunt has clearly taken as his inspiration a rather gruesome 16th century engraving by the famous medieval artist Marco Dente entitled “The Skeletons” – see images (now held by The Met). Quite why Hunt should translate such an image into a religious depiction is a mystery, though just possibly, given the date on the plaque, Hunt is overriding the grim message of Dente with the positivity of faith as an antidote to the Wall Street crash and recession.
Secondly, the artistic style of the plaque is incredibly modern. It is essentially borrowing from German Expressionist art – making it a very rare genre in English enamels. Finally it is also technically very adept, the quality of the underlying figures and detail and clarity of a complex composition in enamel takes great skill.
The plaque is signed and dated 1929 to the reverse (now hidden by the frames back cover). See images. The plaque has provenance to George Hunt and his descendants. The frame is undoubtedly original. Condition is excellent and original.
Maker: George Hunt
Designer: George Hunt
Date: 1929
Marks: Signed to reverse
Material: Enamel on copper
Condition: Excellent
Size: 14.5 x 8.5cm visible plaque, frame 23 x 18 cm
Weight: NM
Additional Information
George Edward Hunt (1892-1960) was a notable Birmingham Arts and Crafts jeweller. He was born on 2 September 1892 in Dudley, near Birmingham. At the age of five he contracted diphtheria and became deaf.The family left the Black Country and moved to Harborne, a suburb of Birmingham, where Hunt remained until his death in 1960.
In 1908, at the age of sixteen, Hunt won free admission to the Margaret Street Art School in Birmingham, where he was taught by Bernard Cuzner. He was awarded several prizes for both design and metalwork in national competitions.
Hunt opened a shop at Five Ways, near Birmingham city centre. By the 1920s his clientele included aristocracy such as Eileen Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland, for whom he made a series of enamelled miniatures of her ancestors.
He is buried at St Peter’s Church, Harborne, alongside his parents.
An exhibition of his work, The Silent World of an Arts and Crafts Jeweller was held by Bonhams in 2006, at their premises in London, Bath and Knowle, near Birmingham.
| Period | Art nouveau, Arts and crafts |
|---|---|
| Maker | George Hunt |