c. 1800 Federal Period, "Commodore Truxton" Portrait Enameled Polychrome Transfer Porcelain on a Brass Curtain Tie Back, Choice Near Mint.
This exquisite, vividly colorful portrait of Commodore Truxton decorates this brass curtain tieback. It was produced for export in England in the immediate aftermath of Commodore Thomas Truxton's celebrated naval victories during the Quasi-War with France. Also, issued to capitalize on the wave of popular enthusiasm that greeted his triumphs and his Award of the Congressional Gold Medal in March 1800. The polychrome enameled transfer-decorated porcelain medallion depicts a portrait bust of Truxton in his naval uniform. It is richly colored with the inscription: "COM.re TRUXTON." fully legible around his portrait. This medallion is set within a decorative round brass frame which has some slightly deeper tone to the brass. Its 3-inch long screw end is intact and fully functional. Truxton's historic naval victory was the defeat of the French national frigate “L'Insurgente” on February 9, 1799. It was the first significant naval victory of the young United States Navy and made him a national hero of the first order.

[Quasi-War with France, Federal Period, Early Republic] [Thomas Truxton, Naval History, Congressional Gold Medal] [Decorative Arts, Porcelain, Presentation and Trophy Pieces]