'The Annunciation', an incised coromandel lacquered panel

The present example was exhibited with another similar work entitled Joseph's Workshop, also executed in 1933, in the impressive religious section of the Salon D'Automne of the same year, and both panels, together with a third, La Pieta were exhibited in the L'Oratoire chapel, which was built by the Manufacture de Sevres for the Paris International Exhibition in 1937. The panels were greatly admired at the exhibition and it was shortly after that the father of the present owner met Dunand and purchased several works including The Annunciation. The companion panel, Joseph's Workshop is now in the Vatican Collection, having been presented by a French delegation to Pope Pius XII upon his election in 1939.