It belongs to an era when the art of entertaining was truly an art, when a carefully set table consisted not only of plates and glasses, but of pieces specially conceived to present fruits, sweets, appetizers, and delicacies with elegance. This large faience server comes from the Keller & Guérin manufacture in Lunéville, one of the great houses that established the reputation of French tableware between the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its old mark on the reverse is still perfectly identifiable: the crown, the initials K and G, and the mention Lunéville – France. This family of marks is documented on Keller & Guérin productions from the period around , allowing us to reasonably place our piece in the early 20th century, circa . And what a piece! Nearly 35 cm in diameter, three generous compartments arranged like clover petals, and at the center, a stunning pierced handle that seems to emerge from the faience itself. The dividers transform into branches and foliage delicately modeled into the material: the dish almost becomes a small table sculpture. Charming polychrome bouquets stand out against the ivory enamel. Deep red and orange roses, small intense blue flowers, touches of yellow, green foliage, and fine dark lines compose a miniature garden. Here and there, a few small, isolated branches punctuate the deliberately clear spaces. A garnet red line, painted along the entire border, accentuates the dish's undulating silhouette and provides a graphic elegance that wonderfully balances the abundance of flowers. Its charm also comes from the beautiful ivory color of old faience, softer than a contemporary white. Over time, it has acquired that particular warmth which so beautifully complements the painted decorations of French manufactures. Beyond the object itself lies a significant Lorraine history. The Lunéville manufacture is among the important names in French faience; under Keller & Guérin, it developed considerable production, bringing its creations to French and European tables. Shaped pieces like this bear witness to a time when as much attention was given to the presentation as to what was served. One can easily imagine this server at the center of a table set over a century ago, filled with candied fruits, petits fours, or delicacies that guests would choose from around its central handle. Today, its use can be reinvented. A few fruits, nuts, or sweets will restore its primary function; empty, simply placed on a large table, an antique sideboard, or a console, it is perfectly self-sufficient. Its spectacular shape and colors make it a true decorative object. The piece bears the marks of its history, notably a fine old line visible near a central junction, as well as a small associated imperfection on the border, both shown in the photographs and naturally factored into its price. Its decoration nevertheless remains luminous, and its enamel retains a very beautiful presence.
Additional details:
- Brand: Lunéville K&G
- Material: Faïence
- Colour: ivoire
- Colour: rouge profond
- Colour: bleu intense
- Colour: sombre
- Colour: rouge grenat
- Period:
Specifications
ConditionGoodColorsRed, Orange, Blue, Yellow, Green