A pair of Alcora faience wall plaques, late 18th/early 19th century

of rococo form, each painted in the centre in polychrome with a full length portrait of an infantryman, titled on the reverse in script, 'Arquebuceros de Grassln Infanteria' and 'Croates de ynfanteria', within a blue and iron-red oval border, the white rococo frame moulded at its base with a face mask with open mouth, adapted as sconces with two ormolu branches, cast with acanthus and suppporting three white porcelain and one painted metal candle-holder, each plaque pierced for hanging, script titles to reverse,

The first plaque with small circular glaze chip to left of soldier's head, approx. 3mm.diameter. Some typical glaze chips to moulded extremities. Restoration to the lower part of the plaque, to the right of and beneath the moulded face mask. The second plaque with restoration to face mask and surrounding area. Some small glaze chips to extremities. Porcelain candle-holders- each with restoration. one lacking a leaf. Some wear to gilding on branches.Two screw threads lacking.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The earliest Alcora plaques, first recorded in the factory report of 1736 as among the `recent inventions', were baroque in style and mostly of geometric shape. The rococo style was adopted by 1750 under the artistic direction of Julian Lopez and Jose Ochando. Even when the fashion for rococo passed, the old moulds remained in use through the late 18th and up to the early 19th century. For a discussion of Alcora plaques, see Antony Ray, Spanish Pottery, 1248-1898, London, 2000, p. 224. Interestingly, probably referring to the current pair, the author states in his concluding sentence, `From this late period must also date some unusual plaques in a private collection depicting Spanish infantrymen, adapted as sconces with the addition of porcelain candle-holders'.