1st item: Copper-plated oval high relief plaque with figure of Roman sea goddess Salacia by Jean-Baptiste Germain (French, 1841-1910). Salacia kneels before a ship, fishing net, and growth of cat tails. She holds in her right hand three fish including a flounder and in her left a standard with the image of a dolphin. She wears loose drapery, a seashell necklace, and additional cat tails in her hair. Inscribed with artist's name, "J. B. Germain 1868," and publisher, "[Leopold Ou]dry Pre Editeur," lower left, "84" at the lower edge, center (this may be the edition number). Mounted on a plush black textile mount with metal corners painted to match copper plaque. Plaque: 16" H x 12" W. Mount: 24" H x 19" W. Publisher note: Leopold Oudry was a publisher of electroplated cast items including vases and sculpture, such as this relief plaque. Electroplating is a process by which cast items–typically iron or bronze–are coated with copper or another metal. Working under Baron Georges-Eugene Haussmann, the engineer Jean-Charles Alphand, Director of the Corps of Bridges and Roads, commissioned Oudry to plate all cast monuments and objects in the city of Paris. Oudry also participated in the Universal Exhibitions in Paris in 1855 and London in 1862, winning a 2nd class medal at the former. In 1861 Oudry copper plated Jacques Ignace Hittorff's famous Fontaines de la Concorde, which had previously required repainting each year. Source: Metman, Bernard, "La petite sculpture au XIXe siecle. Les editeurs," in "Documents sur la sculpture. Repertoire des fondeurs du XIXe siecle," Archives de l'art francais vol. 30 (Nogent-le-Roi, Libr. des Arts et Metiers, 1989) 175-218. 2nd item: After Guido Reni (Italy, 1575-1642) gouache painted reproduction of an engraving of the baroque fresco titled "Aurora" depicting the goddess of Dawn, attired in a golden garment and holding garlands, leading Apollo in his horse-drawn chariot surrounded by a chain of female hours over a coastal landscape. Unsigned. Housed in a contemporary giltwood frame under glass. Sight: 6" H x 13 3/4" W. Framed: 12 3/4" H x 20 1/2" W. Note: The original version of this work is a ceiling fresco located in the Casino dell'Aurora in Rome, Italy, commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in 1614.

PROVENANCE: Private West Tennessee Collection.

CONDITION: 1st item: Condition is good overall with tarnishing throughout and 1/16" area of oxidation on figure's chest. 1 1/2" crack extends from figure's head. Some denting of edges. Areas of loss to paint on the corners. Some discoloration of fabric mount may be removed by cleaning. 2nd item: Overall good condition.