This 19th century French oyster platter, made by the celebrated St. Clément faïence manufactory, features a generous circular form with twelve cream-colored scallop shell wells arranged around a raised central trio. These are set into a beautifully modeled basketweave ground glazed in soft seafoam green, giving the effect of oysters nestled in a handwoven tidal basket. The platter is trimmed with a sculpted brown rope border, framing the pale, glossy shells and lending the entire composition a nautical elegance. The contrast between the creamy white shells and the cool green background is striking, while the hand applied glaze pools softly in the textured recesses — a hallmark of high quality 19th century French majolica.

By the late 1800s, oysters had transitioned from rustic fare to refined delicacy, especially in France, where they were served as part of elaborate multi-course meals. Enter the oyster plate: a form-meets-function masterpiece with recessed wells to keep oysters cradled and cold, all while turning the dining table into a seaside reverie. St. Clément and other faïence houses embraced the trend, producing plates and platters like this one with marine-inspired textures, soft glazes, and embossed details in a style widely recognized today as French majolica (or barbotine in French).

The St. Clément faïence factory, founded in 1758 by Jacques Chambrette near Lunéville, quickly became one of France’s most respected ceramic producers. The factory was even appointed Royal Supplier to Marie Antoinette’s Trianon, a testament to the quality and elegance of its work. In 1892, the company was acquired by Keller and Guérin, owners of the famed Lunéville factory, and continued producing high-quality earthenware with rich glazes and intricate designs well into the 20th century.

Dimensions:

13" diameter

h - 1"

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