Items Similar to Advertising Sign 'La Belle Chocolatiere' Walter Baker & Co. Ltd., circa 1900
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
Advertising Sign 'La Belle Chocolatiere' Walter Baker & Co. Ltd., circa 1900
$8,800
£6,680.81
€7,641.42
CA$12,294.88
A$13,674.59
CHF 7,140.44
MX$166,405.17
NOK 91,194.36
SEK 85,524.23
DKK 57,030.86
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
This is a very rare and iconic piece of early advertising, branding the Walter Baker Chocolate Company and standing over 4 feet tall. Much history surrounds this Victorian chromolithographed image on tin sign and the famous "Chocolate Girl", or "La Belle Chocolatiere". Portrayed is a beautiful young lady serving hot chocolate.
It's genesis lies in the original pastel on parchment painting done by French artist Jean-Etienne Liotard in 1745, which is 20 1/2" wide x 32" tall. That painting today resides in the museum "Alte Meister" in Dresden.
This tin sign is larger than the original painting, which is one of the main draws; all of the other tin signs, trays and images, are much smaller. I have never seen this large size "La Belle Chocolatiere" (26 3/4" x 39").
In 1862, Henry Pierce (owner of the Walter Baker Chocolate Company located in Dorchester, Massachusetts) was so taken in by the painting, that he asked for and obtained the copyright and use privileges to use in marketing and advertising campaigns for the company.
There are two conflicting stories surrounding the inspiration for the original painting. One, is that the lady portrayed was a pretty young maiden in the palace court who impressed the artist with her beauty and appearance. The artist had been commissioned by the Empress to paint portraits of both she and her husband.
The Baker Company tells a more romantic story in a 1913 advertising catalogue.
"La Belle" was none other than 20 year old Anna Baltrouf, daughter of an impoverished knight, who served Prince Von Dietrichstein in a chocolate shop. The Prince of the Viennese Empire fell in love with her, and taken by her beauty, he married her, much to the dismay of the upper crust of the informal societal caste system in place in mid-18th century Austria.
Many items from the Walter Baker Company would comprise a large and varied collection, but this large tin sign, being quite rare, would arguably be the most sought after, and has alluded most collectors. This sign probably hung in a very fancy or prominent confectionery shop, if not in the corporate headquarters in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
The Charles W. Shank Lithograph Company in Chicago was commissioned in 1900 to produce this chromolithographed sign.
The sign measures: 26 3/4" wide x 39" high (in frame)
37" wide x 49 1/2" high (including the
frame or overall).
The condition is excellent with some spots here and there; the original 5" wide highly carved giltwood frame has a metal title plaque provided for by the company mounted at the base, "La Belle Chocolatiere". The frame has very minor gold leaf touch-up to the bottom and one top edge.
Note: I am a second generation antiques dealer and have been in business for 50 years; I am also a member of several prestigious antique associations. Thus, I am well qualified to inspect and evaluate the products I offer for sale and I guarantee this to be authentic and as I have described.
- Creator:Charles Shonk Company (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 49.5 in (125.73 cm)Width: 37 in (93.98 cm)Depth: 1.75 in (4.45 cm)
- Style:Victorian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1900
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The condition is excellent with some spots here and there; the 5" frame has very minor gold leaf touch-up to the bottom and one top edge. Very minor loss to frame on bottom edge (see image).
- Seller Location:Incline Village, NV
- Reference Number:Seller: #154/29-12021stDibs: LU9732986512
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1976
1stDibs seller since 2013
276 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
Associations
Art Dealers Association of America
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Incline Village, NV
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View All"De Laval" Tin Advertising Sign, American, circa 1905, Near Mint
Located in Incline Village, NV
Having started in Sweden, the company opened up in America in 1888 as the "De Laval Cream Separator Company" in New York City, with a production plant ...
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Tin
Biedermeier Picture Clock with Musical Movement, Austria, circa 1825
Located in Incline Village, NV
These painting clocks are very rare, especially containing the music box. Of Austrian manufacture circa 1820-1830, this Biedermeier picture (painting) clock is a naive and charming oil painting on metal, which depicts nine people dressed in colorful period clothes at various activities; a woman with her child and carrying fruit in a basket atop her head, two young lovers, a man in a boat, another man walking with his dog, while still another gentleman leaves the town hall. A woman at the window...
Category
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Paintings
Materials
Metal
American Large Size Soda Fountain Serving Tray "Holly Brand Chocolates" C.1910
By The American Art Works
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Holly Brand Chocolate" is the theme of this tray as noted at the base border. They were turn of the century chocolate makers. This is a very RARE serving tray sought after by advert...
Category
Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Barware
Materials
Tin
"Brookfield Rye" Tin Advertising Sign, American, circa 1901
By The Meek Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
Beautiful semi-nude woman with translucent negligee, holding a bottle of "Brookfield Rye" whiskey is the focal point of this chromolithographic tin advertising sign, used to promote ...
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Tin
"In The Shade of The Old Apple Tree" Tin Advertising Sign, American, circa 1906
By Charles Shonk Company
Located in Incline Village, NV
Outstanding example of this iconic and highly sought after tin advertising sign made by the Shonk Company, Chicago, Illinois, circa 1906. The subject matter depicts a farm scene with...
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Tin
Cast Iron Doorstop "Colonial Woman" American, Circa 1930
By Littco
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Colonial Woman" cast iron doorstop was manufactured by the Littco Products Company, Littlestown, Pennsylvania; circa 1930 during the heart of the depression. It was distributed to g...
Category
Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Doors and Gates
Materials
Iron
You May Also Like
'The Chocolate Girl' by August Von Schiegel 'After J. Etienne Liotards'
Located in Dublin 8, IE
‘The Chocolate Girl’ Watercolour by August Von Schiegel (German, 1828-1895), after a pastel work by Jean Etienne Liotards.
It shows a young German c...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century European Victorian Paintings
Materials
Paint
Large English Porcelain Rectangular Plaque, Derby Crown, circa 1880
Located in New York, NY
Signed 'Landgraf'. Landgraf was known as a figure painter, active at Derby from 1880-1885, following a period of employment at Brown-Westhead, Moore. John Twitchett and Betty Bailey ...
Category
Antique 1880s British Paintings
Materials
Porcelain
Very Fine French Parcel-Gilt Enamel Plaque within Ormolu Frame
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very fine French parcel-gilt enamel plaque within ormolu frame
Late 19th-early 20th century
The rectangular plaque depicting a family seated at a theatre balcony, within a pink a...
Category
Early 20th Century Paintings
Materials
Ormolu
Vintage Hand Painted French Patisserie Sign c.1930-1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Vintage French wooden sign for "Boulangerie Pattisserie, Pain cuit au feu de bois." (Wood fire baked bread). Framed in steel.
CR...
Category
Early 20th Century French Industrial Signs
Materials
Metal
19th Century Hand-Painted Porcelain Plaque Signed by Félicie Palade Bonnal
Located in CANNES, FR
An exquisite 19th-century circular porcelain plaque, finely hand-painted and signed by Félicie Palade Bonnal, a renowned French porcelain portraitist celebrated for her delicate, emo...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Rococo Revival Picture Frames
Materials
Porcelain, Wood
A Fine French 19th Century Oil on Board "A Standing Beauty with Spring Roses"
By Charles Baptiste Schreiber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century oil on board titled "A Standing Beauty with Spring Roses" by Charles Baptiste Schreiber (French, 1845-1903)...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Paintings
Materials
Wood
More Ways To Browse
Metal Leaf Tray
Antique Tin Trays
18th Century Massachusetts
Caste Furniture
Baker Campaign
Baker Furniture Campaign
Antique Advertising Lithographs
Advertising Tray
Etienne Henry
Advertising Chocolate
Antique Chocolate Tins
Wind Antique Clock
18th Century Naval
Amber Rock
Antique Bone Carvings
Antique Chinese Corner Cabinet
Antique Crackle Glass
Antique Farmhouse Primitives