A beautiful eight-piece antique French terre de fer dessert service made by Jules Vieillard & Cie of Bordeaux in the late 19th century.

Decorated in the historic “Rouen” pattern, each piece features an intricate deep-blue transfer decoration on a warm ivory ground. The elaborate lambrequin-style border is composed of scrolling foliage, stylized flowers and lace-like ornament surrounding a coordinating floral medallion.

The matching low pedestal compotier is especially appealing and makes a wonderful centerpiece for displaying fruit, pastries or decorative objects. Together with the six plates and oval platter, it creates an atmospheric French country table setting or an impressive blue-and-white wall display.

The pieces bear variations of the intertwined JVB monogram and the “Rouen” pattern mark. Although inspired by traditional Rouen faience, this service was manufactured in Bordeaux by Jules Vieillard & Cie, whose celebrated pottery operated from 1845 until 1895.

The eight-piece set includes:

• Six dessert or luncheon plates
• One low pedestal compotier or cake server
• One oval serving platter

Measurements:

• Six plates: 8.5 inches in diameter × 0.75 inches high
• Oval platter: 12.75 inches long × 8.5 inches wide × 1.25 inches high
• Pedestal compotier: 8.5 inches in diameter × 2 inches high

Condition:

This service is offered in authentically timeworn antique condition. Many of the pieces have hairline cracks, along with glaze crazing, staining, discoloration and surface wear acquired through more than a century of use.

The service is suited to decorative display, a blue-and-white wall arrangement, or styling a French country interior. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

A wonderfully decorative and increasingly collectible survivor of 19th-century French table culture, retaining the softly aged surface and individual character that make antique terre de fer so appealing.

Maker: Jules Vieillard & Cie
Place of manufacture: Bordeaux, France
Pattern: Rouen
Material: Terre de fer / fine earthenware
Period: Late 19th century, circa 1870–1895
Color: Deep blue and warm ivory
Number of pieces: 8