1893 Haviland Limoges Aesthetic Movement Crab Plates - Set of 6

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Set of six Haviland Limoges Aesthetic Movement crab plates, hand-painted and individually signed J.E. Meyers and dated ’93 for 1893. … Read more Set of six Haviland Limoges Aesthetic Movement crab plates, hand-painted and individually signed J.E. Meyers and dated ’93 for 1893. Each plate bears the green CFH/GDM France mark associated with Charles Field Haviland and Gérard Dufraisseix & Morel.

The molded porcelain plates have deeply scalloped, shell-like borders washed in pale seafoam blue and finished with hand-applied gilding. Each is painted with an individual crab moving among a different underwater arrangement of seaweed, marine grasses, and coral-like growths.

The asymmetrical compositions and unconventional marine subjects reflect the influence of Japonisme upon the late-19th-century Aesthetic Movement. The decoration includes ochre bladderwrack or Sargassum-like forms, salmon-colored kelp blades, orange feathery algae, pink ruffled sea lettuce, and pale celadon eelgrass. One plate incorporates a yellow branching form suggestive of staghorn coral or a marine sponge, while fine burgundy tracery resembles delicate hydroids, sea fans, or finely branched algae. These are artistic interpretations rather than scientifically precise botanical studies.

The crabs are rendered in varied shades of olive green, brown, gray, and charcoal, making every plate a distinct composition. The restrained palette of powder blue, celadon, coral pink, salmon, rust orange, yellow, burgundy, and gold gives the service a particularly sophisticated appearance.

At eight inches in diameter, the plates could be used for a fish course, salad, luncheon, or dessert service. They also display exceptionally well as a complete cabinet or wall collection.

Minor wear to the gilded rims is consistent with age.

Dimensions: Each measures approximately 8 inches in diameter × 1 inch high. See less