This is a another decorative Victorian cast copper platter dating to the 1850s. It is a reduced antique copy of the original large charger made by Antoine Vechte (1799 - 1868) for Elkington & Co. The busy design covering the whole of plate depicts the Battle of the Amazons.
The subject is a mythological battle between the ancient Greeks and the Amazons, a nation of all-female warriors. The raised center of the plate shows a contorted female figure (possibly the Amazon queen Hippolyta). She is surrounded by fallen armor, suggesting her capture or defeat. The main body section features a continuous, swirling frieze of combatants. The theme could be considered to represent the triumph of a Greek (patriarchal) civilization over "foreign, gender-transgressive female" adversaries!
The original large silver platter from which electrotype was taken was in the collection of the King of Prussia (see also my Staffordshire figurine of the King!). The original life-size electrotype was first displayed by Elkington at the Great Exhibition of 1851, winning them a Council Medal. The following years other copies where issued for sale to the general public, with these smaller ones sold as plates for displaying fruits (hence the ball feet on mine) or to hang on the wall. These smaller ones are hard to find.
These early electrotypes were made by depositing copper into a mould using electricity.
My platter or sideboard dish has ball feet and original hanging hooks, as photographed. It is in excellent condition. The details are exquisite and the colour of the copper still glowing without any losses to the patina. It is a smaller issue - probably more suitable for domestic interiors. It measures 9 inches (22.5 cm).
An interesting piece of Victorian metalwares and a fine example for display in a 19th Century interior. Listed here at a fair price.
Postage will be with Royal Mail Tracked (Medium Parcel). This will be applied to your order at the checkout.