Earthenware Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

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...

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.

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

Set of 6 French Majolica Egg Cup Circa 1890. Manufacture Saint-Clément ( East of France ) Purple lavender flowers shape.

English majolica large begonia leaf oval platter, circa 1880. Oval 1/2" deep foot rim. Lilac, brown, green & blue. Handsome; rare size. Note glaze bubbles near one side point. 16.25"...

Great pair of late 19th century Provencal earthenware plates France, circa 1880-1900 Good but weathered condition.

Rare Large French Majolica Olives Leaves Platter signed Sarreguemines Majolica circa 1870. 13.8 by 13.8 inches.

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...

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

French aqua turquoise Majolica strawberry rectangular cake platter signed Sarreguemines Majolica, circa 1870.

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...

Dodie Thayer Lettuce Ware Tureen, Cover and Stand, Jupiter, Florida, 1987 The tureen, cover and conforming stand are naturalistically modeled as a head of lettuce, hand-built in gla...

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...

Colorful Majolica asparagus plate Salins, circa 1890.   

Rare Rouen plate with beautiful blue decoration. France, circa 1750 Good condition.

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

French Majolica asparagus platter Fives Lille, circa 1890. Reference / Page 149 "Artichauts et asperges en barbotine" of M.Bottero.

Majolica oyster plate signed Sarreguemines, circa 1950.

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

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

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...

A Montelupo Maiolica dish featuring an Arlecchino decor in the shades of ochre, yellow, blue, green, and black. The shallow, circular form is decora...

French Majolica oyster plate with flowers circa 1890 signed Longchamp.

Large French majolica oyster platter with handle Orchies, circa 1900.

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...

This vintage soup plate by Crown Ducal showcases the timeless elegance of English transferware in a rare “Bristol Pink” hue. The richness of the rosy-red floral pattern, combined wit...

A beautifully hand-painted majolica pedestal centerpiece, atributed to FB Portugal, produced circa 1970. Richly modeled with an abundant arrangement of sculptural fruit—including gra...

A handsome vintage Winston Churchill collectible character jug or "Toby jug" decorative mug by the English pottery firm, Royal Doulton.

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

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

19th Century Large Botanical French Majolica Jardiniere. Purple and pink flowers. Height / 10 inches. Lenght / 16 inches.

This red Mason’s Vista dinner service is a striking example of 19th-century English transferware at its most romantic and collectible. What makes it truly unique is the completeness ...

Antique Ruskin Oval Platter – Green Floral Transferware This elegant antique oval platter features a classic green floral transferware design, pr...

This set comprises four mid-18th-century Delft plates, each with chinoiserie decoration in cobalt blue. The central field shows a central sprig of tobacco leafs rising from stylised ...

Holdcroft Majolica cheese keep which features fern fronds, and pond lily leaves and flowers. Colouration: green, white, brown, are predominant. The piece bears maker's marks for the ...

huge French Majolica Fish Platter Sarreguemines 1950s in very good condition German : Saargemünd / French Sarreguemines) is situated in the north-east of France, on the border wi...

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

This beautifully preserved vintage coffee service by W.H. Grindley & Co. stands out for its charming countryside motif, meticulous transferware detailing, and full, coordinated s...

A charming and highly decorative 18th century French faience ewer, beautifully hand-painted with a lively polychrome palette of cobalt blue, soft greens, and warm ochre tones. The gl...

French Majolica Wild Rose Cake Stand Delphin Massier Circa 1890, 9.8 inches diameter , 4 inches height.

A wonderful rare set of 10 French Creil Faience Decorative plates Circa 1830, having lively depictions of various traditional French sayings and expressions or rhymes and riddles usu...

Spanish Andalusian Olive Oil Handled Jar in Terracotta _______________________________________________________________________ Hand-made terracotta preserving pot or jar with handles...

Mid-Century French Majolica Tureen with garlic on the handle.

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...

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

Charming French ceramic two-handled cup created by Robert Picault in Vallauris, South of France, circa 1960. This distinctive piece features the celebrated ceramicist’s instantly rec...

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

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 ...

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...

Set of Brutalist Tree Trunk Ceramic Jug and Six Cups, France, 1950s. Rare multicolor handpainted water / sangria / juice drinking set of six cups and large jug with tree trunk desig...

Hispano-Moresque Lustreware Charger with a “Pardalot” Bird Manises, late 17th or early 18th century Tin-glazed earthenware, decorated in copper lustre with a large central bird surr...

French faience oyster plate signed Henriot Quimper, circa 1930.

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

These are sold separately. Please refer to which piece you are interested in at purchase. Early 20th c Majolica bowls from Guatemala. Great colors. Diameter varies from about 5.5 inc...

This is a bowl by Clarice Cliff in the "Hydrangea" pattern, circa 1933. The Hydrangea pattern is a "Bizarre" pattern, produced in 1933. It is hand, in the green colour-way, with flo...