A deeply poignant vintage French enamel memorial heart, made in remembrance of a little girl named Anne.

The faded inscription records:

PRAIS Anne

Née le 27-1-1953

Décédée le 6-3-1958

Un Ange au Ciel

An Angel in Heaven.

Anne was just five years old when she died.

Made from enamelled metal in the traditional heart-shaped form found in French cemeteries, the plaque would originally have been fixed to a grave or memorial. Three fixing holes remain around the edge.

Time and exposure have left the original inscription beautifully ghosted and the cream enamel heavily weathered. There are losses around the edges, surface marks, rust and areas of dark green paint across the front, with further wear and old paint to the reverse.

It is an incredibly evocative survivor, not simply a decorative object but a small piece of personal and social history. The almost disappearing lettering seems particularly moving here, with Anne's name and dates still just visible after nearly seventy years.

A rare piece for a collection of French vernacular objects, old enamel, memorial pieces or timeworn ephemera.

Date: 1958

Origin: France

Material: Enamelled metal

Inscription: “Un Ange au Ciel”

Condition: Heavily weathered from age and exposure. Faded and partially lost lettering, enamel losses, rust, marks, scratches and areas of green paint to the front. The reverse is green with considerable surface wear. Please study all photographs, these form an important part of the description.