Six Early 19th Century French Botanical Dessert Plates Green & Gilt Borders

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Set of Six Early 19th Century French Botanical Dessert Plates with Green Borders and Fire-Gilt Trim

A rare and refined … Read more Set of Six Early 19th Century French Botanical Dessert Plates with Green Borders and Fire-Gilt Trim

A rare and refined set of six early 19th-century French porcelain dessert plates, each featuring hand-painted fruit and flower studies encircled by a vivid apple green border and finished with a rich band of fire-gilding. Unmarked but of exceptional quality, these plates likely originate from a Parisian porcelain atelier—possibly Darte Frères, Schoelcher, or another top-tier Restauration-era manufacturer—known for their exquisite botanical decoration and neoclassical color palettes.

Each plate is bordered with a vivid apple green enamel band, delicately trimmed in fire-gilt inner and outer rings, surrounding a central reserve painted with exceptional naturalistic detail. The subject matter reflects the early 19th century’s fascination with horticulture and botanical illustration and may have been inspired by the work of Redouté or Curtis.

Subject Detail:
Plate 1
A Bartlett pear with Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)

Plate 2
A golden apricot with a deep purple Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)

Plate 3
Red currants with Parrot Tulip (Tulipa 'Dee Jay Parrot')

Plate 4
Red cherries with blue Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor)

Plate 5
Damson plums with Wild Violets (Viola odorata)

Plate 6
Ripe gooseberries with Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis)

The apple green enamel border—an iconic French color of the period—is beautifully preserved and visually enhanced by the inner and outer fire-gilt rings. These plates are likely from a cabinet or dessert service intended for elite clientele, possibly part of a diplomatic or aristocratic commission.

Dimensions: 9" diameter See less