Old enameled plate bearing the inscription "OCRE ROUGE" (RED OCHER), from a set of enameled plates that equipped the drawers of an old color merchant's cabinet. Red ocher is a mineral pigment based on iron oxides, used for centuries in painting and decoration; old nomenclatures distinguish several varieties of red ochers according to their origin and preparation. Color merchants supplied pigments, colors and various raw materials to painters, decorators and craftsmen; their drawer cabinets allowed these numerous powders and preparations to be stored separately, each compartment being identified by a plate like this one.
✦ Estimated period: Circa 1900-1920 ✦ Origin: France, old color merchant ✦ Dimensions: approx. 13 × 3 cm ✦ Material: Enameled plate ✦ Condition: Very good used condition, with small enamel chips on the edges, slight traces of oxidation, marks and wear consistent with age.
Old enameled plate "Ocre Rouge", a beautiful craft object related to traditional pigments and old color trades.
