Antique 19th Century Handpainted Glass Roundel Depicting Alchemical Scene

A small antique 19^th century glass roundel beautifully handpainted with an alchemical scene inspired by earlier 16^th and 17^th century medieval designs, ex. Paul Fitzsimmons collection.

Likely of German or Swiss origin, this roundel captures four figures in an alchemist workshop, three of which study a bottle in the hand of one of the figures, the fourth sat at a table attempting to transform a base metal into gold using purifying flasks. The style, depicted with strong linear definition and characterful expressions, draws on Germanic and Swiss glass painting styles of the 16^th and 17^th centuries which were revived in the 19^th century.

The panel is indistinctly marked to the lower lefthand side with ‘Sceivite Mediaevi LXXXI’ and is fitted with a hoop to the top ready for hanging in front of a light source.