Antique Plaque Of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga

Antique hand painted devotional plaque on ceramic plate depicting Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, the young Jesuit saint, shown standing within a Gothic arched niche. He is portrayed with a gentle contemplative expression, set against a finely gilded ground that lends the work a quiet, icon-like luminosity Saint Alovsius is dressed in traditional ecclesiastical robes and holds a wooden crucifix, symbolizing his devotion and self-sacrifice, together with a spray of white lilies, the emblem of his purity and chastity. A delicately incised halo encircles his head, reinforcino the sacred nature of the image. The painting is executed with careful. refined brushwork, particularly evident in the facial features and softlv modelled drapery. The panel is housed in a shaped wooden plaque with a deep oak toned veneer, framed by a fine gilt brass beading that echoes Gothic architectural forms Gentle surface wear and light craquelure are visible, entirely consistent with age and addina to its authentic character. Frame 26cm by 12.5cm Plaque 14cm by 5.5cm Likely dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, this is a charming and intimate devotional object, originally intended for private worship, and today a highly decorative and evocative example of perioc religious folk art.