These four plates possess all the charm of antique French tableware – the kind that wasn't meant to be perfectly uniform, but was cherished for being pretty enough that each place setting around the table had its own unique character. Crafted by the Manufacture de Saint-Amand, they feature a beautiful embossed border, worked in the style of wicker braiding, delicately highlighted with blue. This design immediately adds dimension to the set and frames four different floral compositions, painted in a fresh palette of pink, mauve, green, and yellow. It is precisely this variation that gives the set its charm. The flowers vary from one plate to another while retaining the same border, creating a harmonious yet non-repetitive ensemble. A table setting style very characteristic of decorative services from the first half of the 20th century, when French manufacturers knew how to imbue everyday items with a true sense of presence. On the reverse, three of the plates bear Saint-Amand's swan mark, attesting to their manufacture in one of the major earthenware centers of Northern France. The Saint-Amand-les-Eaux factory is part of the long history of French ceramics that, from the 19th century and throughout a good portion of the 20th, produced tableware designed for both family tables and more formal settings. With a diameter of approximately 20 cm, they are perfectly suited for dessert or a pastry. Their design also allows them to be envisioned on a deliberately mismatched table, blended with antique linen, clear glass, and a few pieces of white earthenware. They have survived through the decades and naturally bear some traces: small signs of age, irregularities, and occasional wear to the decoration are visible. These contribute to their character, and the photographs allow for a precise appreciation of their condition.
Additional details:
- Brand: Saint-Amand
- Style: Floral
- Style: French Antique
- Material: Faïence
- Colour: mauve
- Period: première moitié du XXe siècle