Theodore Haviland Limoges Porcelain Tea Service
£230
This is the finest French porcelain from Theodore Haviland, Limoges, France, it is the "Eden" pattern tea service and in this instance comprises 5 x trios of tea cup, saucer and tea plate and a gilt handled cake plate. Based on the date mark ( introduced in 1903 and retired in 1925) as well as the known popularity of this design etc. we can date this set to circa 1920. The Theodore Haviland Porcelain Factory has been located in Limoges, France, since 1892. The pattern is also known as "Eden" or "Bird of Paradise." It was most popular in the 1920s. but remained in production into the 60s, with the usual variations that happen with long lasting patterns.
This original decoration is a combination of painting over transfer with gilt highlights, the principal motif depicts a Bird of Paradise with richly coloured plumage perched upon a gnarled cherry branch studded with pink blossoms all on a white field.
The shoulders of the saucers and all the plates are decorated with colourful floral groupings, while the rims of all items are finished in a yellow and red geometric pattern and gilded at the edge.
The cake plate features gilded handles and a pair of Birds of Paradise in the centre. It also has a unique addition with the words "la crémaillère" (which translates as the House Warming) in the Havilland script on the bottom in red underglaze. One can perhaps speculate that this was given as a gift to someone moving into a new house.
Condition - apart from a small nick on the outside rim of the cake plate, the set is in perfect condition for its age, albeit gilding has some rubbing to the rims of the saucers, not major and to be expected from age and light use.
Size:
Saucer - diameter - 15 cms, weight - 119 gms
Tea Plate - diameter - 17 cms. weight - 172 gms
Tea Cup - diameter - 9.5cms, height - 5 cms, weight - 77 gms
Cake Plate - 28 cms x 23 cms, height - 3 cms, weight - 677 gms.