Earthenware Dinner Plates

Majolica water lily pond plate Wasmuel, circa 1890.   

French Majolica oyster plate Orchies, circa 1900.

Few 19th-century French faience services embody the elegance, artistic refinement and poetic spirit of the Japonisme movement as beautifully as Jules Vieillard Bordeaux’s celebrated “Nella” pattern. More than a dinner service, this remarkable ensemble is a hand-painted work of art, where every piece celebrates nature through an extraordinary variety of exotic birds, flowering branches, butterflies and delicate insects. No two plates are exactly alike, making each place setting a unique composition while preserving the perfect harmony of the whole. Founded in Bordeaux in 1845, the Jules Vieillard manufactory became one of France’s most prestigious ceramic producers. By the 1870s it employed nearly 1,300 craftsmen, ranking among the country’s leading faience manufacturers. Its artistic creations were celebrated at the great international exhibitions of the nineteenth century, including the Gold Medal awarded at the Paris Universal Exposition of 1878, a distinction that firmly established the international reputation of the Bordeaux factory. Created during this golden period, the “Nella” pattern is now regarded as one of the manufactory’s finest and rarest achievements. Inspired by the discovery of Japanese art in Europe during the second half of the nineteenth century, it perfectly reflects the new decorative language that transformed European ceramics. Every piece was individually moulded in fine faience, fired, then meticulously hand-painted by master decorators using coloured enamels before receiving its final transparent glaze and being fired once again. This demanding process ensured exceptional brilliance while allowing each painter complete artistic freedom. Rather than reproducing a single repetitive design, every plate was intentionally decorated with its own individual composition. Kingfishers, parrots and other exotic birds rest upon blossoming branches of prunus, peonies, irises and wild roses. Butterflies, dragonflies and tiny ladybirds animate the white ground with remarkable delicacy, creating the impression of a living garden. The asymmetrical compositions, generous areas of untouched white and graceful movement throughout the decoration perfectly express the refined aesthetic of French Japonisme. Complete “Nella” services have become extraordinarily scarce. Intended for everyday use within distinguished households, most examples were gradually dispersed or damaged over nearly one hundred and fifty years. Today, large coherent ensembles with their original serving pieces seldom appear on the international market. According to family history, this exceptional service remained for generations in an elegant maison de maître on the French Riviera before entering the antiques market. Unlike most surviving examples, which are composed predominantly of plates, this magnificent ensemble retains an unusually rich selection of original serving pieces together with its complete coffee service, making it equally desirable for collectors, designers and prestigious private residences. Composition — 83 Pieces * 27 Dinner Plates – Ø 25 cm (9.84 in) * 14 Soup Plates – Ø 25.5 cm (10.04 in) * 16 Dessert Plates – Ø 22.5 cm (8.86 in) * 1 Covered Soup Tureen * 2 Covered Vegetable Tureens * 1 Covered Serving Dish * 2 Large Oval Serving Platters * 1 Large Fish Platter * 1 Shell-Shaped Compotier * 2 Covered Sauce Boats with Attached Stands * 1 Covered Mustard Pot * 1 Coffee Pot * 1 Covered Sugar Bowl * 1 Milk Jug * 10 Coffee Cups * 11 Coffee Saucers Every piece bears the JVB factory mark beneath, while the principal serving pieces are additionally marked “Nella”, confirming the authenticity of this prestigious model. The overall condition is exceptional considering its age of approximately 150 years. The enamels retain remarkable freshness and brilliance, while the glaze remains beautifully preserved. Minor imperfections are limited to a few discreet hairlines, one deep serving dish displaying slight age-related darkening, one coffee saucer with noticeable staining and the expected traces of careful domestic use accumulated over generations. These small imperfections are entirely consistent with the age of the service and do not detract from its extraordinary visual impact. More than simply an antique dinner service...

A beautiful set of five antique French majolica plates, featuring an elegant relief design of vine leaves, grape clusters, and branches. Their rich palette of greens, browns, and cre...

19th-Century Victorian Majolica aqua oyster plate signed Minton.

French Majolica strawberries plate circa 1880 Luneville.

French Majolica Green Oyster Plate Luneville circa 1920. Reference: Page 43 "Oyster plates" of J. Karsnitz. 4 plates are available.

A child’s assiette parlante, a talking plate, illustrated by Benjamin Rabier for Sarreguemines, France – circa 1900. Benjamin Rabier (1864-1939), was a French children’s author, pl...

A gorgeous antique French Sarreguemines majolica oyster plate, circa 1870. Maker's mark and model number on reverse (this is an older model). It displays beautifully with vibrant col...

Green Majolica oyster plate, six white wells on a green basket weave, circa 1890 signed Longchamp.

Colorful Majolica asparagus plate Salins, circa 1890.   

Majolica oyster plate signed Sarreguemines, circa 1950.

Majolica oyster plate with different flowers on each shells, circa 1900 signed Longchamp.  

Small Majolica water lily pond plate Wasmuel, circa 1890.6 inches diameter , 8 plates available.  

A child’s assiette parlante, a talking plate, illustrated by Benjamin Rabier for Sarreguemines, France – circa 1900. Benjamin Rabier (1864-1939), was a French children’s author, pla...

French Faience Plate Henriot Quimper Circa 1950. woman from Brittany with a spinning wheel. 10.5 inches diameter.

Rare 19th century Majolica oyster plate with pastels colors, shells and seaweeds signed Gien.

Majolica plate with two parakeets on a very rare pink background with oranges of Salins, circa 1890.  

French Majolica Parrots & Bamboo Plate Salins, circa 1890.    

Decorative ceramic plate made in France, decorated with a design inspired by the work of Pablo Picasso. The central motif depicts two stylized figures in motion, drawn in black and enhanced with graphic touches of green, red, and blue, characteristic of the artist's pictorial vocabulary. An emblematic piece embodying the dialogue between modern art and 20th-century decorative arts, produced in the tradition of French artistic ceramics. Main Features : Decorative ceramic plate France, 20th century Design inspired by Pablo Picasso Stylized figures and expressive graphic composition Polychrome palette: black, blue, green, and red Marked on the reverse (France) Excellent collector's item or wall decoration A fusion of modern art and decorative ceramics Keywords : Picasso plate, Picasso ceramics France, modern decorative plate, French modern art, decorative cubism, 20th-century artistic ceramics, collectible plate, French art and design, modern wall decoration, Vallauris Picasso...

Elegant blue and white oyster plate signed Bordeaux Vieillard, circa 1890. Six wells surrounded by blue seaweeds of different kinds. Ref / 2732.

Rare Set of 6 French Majolica Palm Plate Sarreguemines, circa 1870. Diameter / 7.5 inches.

French Majolica oyster plate Orchies, circa 1900.

This striking set comprises twelve majolica oyster plates and one large matching serving platter, beautifully crafted in the style of Longchamp, France. Each plate features a vivid g...

Set of eight Audubon birds of America plates in cream with raised floral border centering on eight different birds. Alfred Meakin, Some crazing commensurate with age. England, circa ...

19th Century Plate signed Vieillard Bordeaux service Nella. Naturalist plate with a kingfisher, an insect , water lilies

French Majolica bird with grapes plate signed Sarreguemines, circa 1880.

French Majolica grape leaves plate Onnaing, circa 1900.

French faience oyster plate signed Henriot Quimper, circa 1930.

French Majolica oyster plate with flowers circa 1890 signed Longchamp.

A child’s assiette parlante, a talking plate, illustrated by Benjamin Rabier for Sarreguemines, France – circa 1900. Benjamin Rabier (1864-1939), was a French children’s author, pla...

19th Century French blue & white faience dinner plate signed "Francois" Sarreguemines.

Exquisite fine cream faience tableware set adorned with scattered roses and gold trim. The set consists of 62 pieces and would be ideal for casual dining, or would make an eyecatchin...

French aqua turquoise Majolica oyster plate signed Sarreguemines Majolica, circa 1870. 6 shells and space for the lemon on the center.

An exceptional rare dinner service of 92 pieces in fine French earthenware, made by the esteemed faience manufacturer Jules Vieillard of Bordeaux. The charming blue and white design ...

Majolica plate two parakeets on a blue background with oranges Salins, circa 1890.  

Majolica plate signed Choisy le Roi, circa 1890. Very rare large size 9.5 inches. 6 plates available.

French Majolica leaves & grapes plate Onnaing, circa 1900.

A gorgeous antique French Digoin & Sarreguemines majolica oyster plate, circa 1930. Maker's mark on reverse. It displays beautifully and would also be perfect for serving. We have tw...

From Copeland Spode – in the Fernleigh pattern, a set of six plates, Stoke-On-Trent, England, discontinued in the early 1960s. Made of Earthenware and transfer printed with hand-col...

A lovely antique French majolica oyster plate made at the St. Clement faience factory in France, circa 1920-1930. Maker's mark on reverse. This gorgeous oyster plate has six wells wi...

French Majolica plate with pumpkin & snail Onnaing, circa 1890.

A charming set of six earthenware hand-painted square asparagus plates, with a pair of Majolica glazed asparagus tips at each of the four corners. In between, sprays of polychrome fl...

French Majolica bird & flower plate, Circa 1890.

French Majolica leaves plate signed Clairefontaine, circa 1890.

Hold a piece of 18th-century France. This exceptional earthenware deep plate, originating from the revered kilns of Moustiers, is a ceramic canvas of Rococo wit and whimsey. Executed in the highly sought-after yellow monochrome (ochre), the central well explodes with a vibrant, tiered tableau. Here, history is playful. We invite your eyes to dance among the intricate grotesques in the distinctive manner of Jacques Callot. It is a world of theatrical caprice: a dramatic winged beast, an elaborately costumed performer, and a whimsical unicorn-like rider sharing space with fluttering butterflies and palm trees. Every glance reveals a new, charming detail of this Commedia dell'arte-inspired scene. The scalloped rim, bordered by refined ochre bands and intricate floral sprigs, frames this spectacle. This item possesses a deep, honest patina of time. We view its imperfections—a fine, historic vertical hairline crack through the body, professionally stabilized to preserve structural integrity, and various wear marks—not as damage, but as the authentic signatures of centuries of curation and history. It is a tangible link to a grander era. This Moustiers plate...

French Set of six green majolica grapes plates, circa 1880.  

A French large faience plate with a farmer in the costume with flowers signed Henriot Quimper, circa 1950. Colorful yellow border and blue lines. Measure: 9.5 diameter.

Majolica water lily pond plate Wasmuel, circa 1890.   

French Majolica oyster plate with green acanthus leaves, circa 1890.

French faience oyster plate signed Henriot Quimper, circa 1930.

French Majolica oyster plate circa 1890 signed Longchamp.

19th Century Majolica Snail Platter signed Saint Clement.

Rustic French Plate signed Hamage Saint Amand Circa 1920.

A charming French Majolica asparagus serving set by Elchinger, featuring a rich green glaze with raised asparagus motifs. This Barbotine ceramic set includes one large serving platter and six matching plates. The intricate relief detailing and vibrant colors make it a perfect addition to any Majolica collection or a stylish choice for serving asparagus and other delicacies. Platter dimensions: approx. 39 x 24 x 3 cm (15.4 x 9.4 x 1.2 inches) Plate dimensions: approx. 24 cm (9.4 inches) diameter each A beautiful example of classic French Barbotine pottery...

Majolica plate two parakeets on a blue background with oranges signed Salins, circa 1890.  

A gorgeous antique French Sarreguemines majolica oyster plate, circa 1870. Maker's mark and model number on reverse (this is an older model). It displays beautifully with vibrant col...

A lovely antique 19th-Century French green majolica fern & leaves plate with greek key border. No maker's mark. It displays beautifully, perfect on a wall, plate rack, or shelf. Di...

Antique Austrian Majolica crawfish / Lobster plate circa 1890 signed Schutz Cilli Age is approximate. No noted restoration or repairs. Good condition for age. A beautiful plate.

A Set of 10 Colefax & Fowler 11 Inch Dinner Plates, absolutely gorgeous from Colefax and Fowler. The plates are in very good condition, having mostly being used for display. They ar...