Mingolla Appraisal

Framed Vitreous Enamel on Copper Miniature Painting by Mingolla

This is a small-scale original artwork executed in the vitreous enamel on copper technique, signed by the artist 'Mingolla' in the lower right corner. The piece depicts a vibrant scarlet macaw perched amidst lush yellow and green foliage against a pale, atmospheric background. The physical construction involves applying finely ground colored glass pigments to a metal substrate (likely copper), which is then kiln-fired at high temperatures to melt the glass and fuse it to the metal. This process creates the characteristic textured, granular, and slightly impasto-like surface visible in the bird's feathers and the tree leaves. The color palette is rich, featuring bold reds, blues, and yellows contrasted against stippled greens and earthy browns. The piece is housed in a simple gilded wooden frame with a beige linen or canvas-wrapped mat Board. No significant damage is visible to the enamel surfaces, such as 'crazing' or chipping, which are common in older enamels. The style is mid-to-late 20th-century decorative art, known for high luster and permanence of color. The craftsmanship shows a high degree of control over the firing process to maintain the distinct boundaries between the bright plumage colors of the parrot. While no maker's mark beyond the signature is visible on the front, its composition and style are consistent with Italian enamel workshops from the 1960s or 1970s.