Antique Faience Plate By Gien of France, Dated 1855-60, Stapled At Rear, Cornucopia Design

Antique Faience Plate By Gien of France, Dated 1855-60, Stapled At Rear, Cornucopia Design

The thing is that when this plate was originally made back in the late 1850's it would have been expensive. So expensive in fact that it was worth having it professionally repaired as it has been.

This repair is done by very carefully drilling into the porcelain and inserting metal staples to hold it together and the 'glue' used was porcelain slip. Done by a master craftsman in the era when 'throw away' was not an option except for the super rich.

The Gien Faïencerie was first established in 1821 in Gien in the Loire Valley, at the heart of France. Its history goes back two hundred years. Its founder was Thomas Hall, an Englishman eager to promote and expand fine English faïence in France.

Before Gien was founded, Thomas Hall was involved with the Montereau faïencerie. He handed over his interest in the company, to go on to a project to revive the Pont aux Choux faïencerie in Paris. At the time it was the only faïencerie in the Paris area. It produces sophisticated pieces of faïence with a close resemblance to silverware, inspired by English know-how.

This plate was made in the golden era of Gien which dates from 1850-1914.