Rare 18th century Venus in the Forge of Vulcan wax plaque attributed to Lochée

Very rare late 18th century classically inspired wax relief plaque depicting Venus in the Forge of Vulcan with a playful cupid attributed to John Charles Lochée. Active between 1772-1791 Lochée was born in 1751; joined the Royal Academy in 1772; worked alongside Josiah Wedgwood in 1774; Society of Arts winner in 1775 and Royal Sculptor in the 1780's. Superb, finely carved scene of Vulcan forging arrows for Venus or Cupid, presented on what looks like wood but could be the original velvet background in an ebonised turned oval frame with original glass front. Old annotation to the reverse. English, circa 1775. 
Provenance: The Old Vicarage, Chideock.

H 15cm x W 12cm

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