HAVILAND GDA LIMOGES ANTIQUE FRENCH PORCELAIN PLATTER

This Naturalistic Floral Design Porcelain Platter Was Manufactured By Charles Field Haviland of Limoges, France Approximately 1900-1920. This oval shape platter measures 17” Length by 11” Width. Amid the factory identifying marks, there is a mark for the Canadian cities of Toronto & Winnipeg importer-distributor which would have been Eaton’s Department Stores.

The design is that of light green floral sprigs that are disbursed on the platter that is enhanced by a light tinge of pale yellow outlining each flower and a beautiful applied handle on each end.

The cartouche or back stamp, as is used on this platter, is that of Charles Field Haviland. The colors of black, brown and blue were used from 1859-1881; these back stamps were continued also in red and gray by Gerard, Dufraisseix & Morel 1882-1900; and was finally continued in red only by Gerard, Dufraisseix & Abbot 1900-1941.

COMMENT:  Because Of This Platter’s Feminine Appearance, Such An Attractive Platter May Be Used, Should You So Dare, As A Dresser Tray To Display Ones Cologne Decanter/Perfume Bottle Collection And Would Be An Adornment Feature To The Vanity Table.

CONDITION: This Limoges antique oval platter is in fine condition except for some wear to the gold gilding.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHARLES FIELD HAVILAND LIMOGES

About 1852 Charles Field Haviland left the USA to work in Limoges, France for his uncle David Haviland (do not confuse with Charles Haviland, a son of David Haviland). In 1859 Charles Field Haviland started a small decorating studio with another uncle, namely Richard Haviland; they decorated Alluaud porcelains for export to the USA.

In 1865 Charles Field Haviland rented a porcelain manufacturing company in partnership with his father, Robert B. Haviland, and his brother F. Haviland. Sometime before 1870 a decorating studio was added. In 1870 Charles Field Haviland & O. Gagner started a manufacturing company which was named Charles Field Haviland & Cie. In 1876 Charles took over the old Alluaud factory in Faubourg des Casseaux, Limoges.

In 1881 Charles retired from the firm, and it was taken over by E. Gerard, J. B. Dufraisseix, and Morel, who continued to use the Charles Field Haviland decorating mark but used a CFM/GDM porcelain mark. Apparently Charles Field Haviland continued in export/import as part of Haviland & Gagner. Haviland and Abbot continued after 1886 onwards.

Morel left the company in 1890. In 1900 Edgar Abbot, who had been partner in Charles Field Haviland’s import firm from 1886, became a partner in what was renamed Gerard, Dufraisseix & Abbot (GDA). GDA opened a Paris branch in 1902. In 1929 GDA purchased Haviland & Co. In 1941 they sold rights to certain Charles Field Haviland models and sold the round red decoration mark to the Robert Haviland & C. Parlon Company.