This is a very unusual and very rare plate, which records and lampoons the English Victorian visitor’s confusion with the innovative French Ceramics on view at the 1867 Paris Exposition.
The site chosen for the Exposition was the Champs de Mars, the great military parade ground of Paris. The Exposition was formally opened on April 1, and closed on October 31, 1867, and was visited by 9,238,967 persons, including exhibitors and employees. This exposition was the greatest up to its time of all international expositions, both with respect to its extent and to the scope of its plan.
This plate is a transfer printed, made by LeBeuf Milliet & Company Creil et Montereau in 1867.
The image on the plate shows two visitors to the ceramics display at the exhibition. They are gazing around at all the products in wonder... they have not understood the new ceramic designs on display - and their ignorance of the latest ceramic fashions is revealed in the illustration - where the man is shown wearing a soup tureen as a hat - and the lady with a plate as a bonnet. They are standing at a counter above which there is a sign which reads "Manufactures de Porcelaines Creil & Montereau.
Beneath the image is a French verse which reads "No 3 Mr Chapeau Soupier. Mme Chapeau Assiette, Heureuse Alliance de la Porcelaine et de la Chapellerie.
Diameter 8 inches in diameter.
The plate is a rare survivor and is in excellent antique condition with no damages. The rarity of this image and its excellent condition are reflected in my asking price.
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