Tressemann & Vogt (T&V) Limoges France Floral Porcelain Bread and Butter Plate
Ceramic Tableware (Bread and Butter Plate / Small Dessert Plate) · Tressemann & Vogt (T&V), a prestigious French porcelain decorating studio and factory in Limoges, France. Established in the late 19th century, T&V is renowned for high-quality export porcelain and won Grand Prizes at Universal Expositions.
Pattern: Unknown Floral / Rosebud Garland with Gilded Rim; introduced circa 1892-1907. While patterns were often number-coded, this aesthetic is representative of Limoges' 'American Market' exports.
Type
Ceramic Tableware (Bread and Butter Plate / Small Dessert Plate)
Maker
Tressemann & Vogt (T&V), a prestigious French porcelain decorating studio and factory in Limoges, France. Established in the late 19th century, T&V is renowned for high-quality export porcelain and won Grand Prizes at Universal Expositions.
Material
Hard-paste porcelain (Kaolin-based). This is not silver; the gold detailing at the rim is 24k gold leaf (gilt) fired onto the glaze. No sterling or silver content is present.
Dimensions
Approximately 6.25 inches (16 cm) in diameter. Standard bread and butter plate scale. Weight is typical for fine bone/hard-paste porcelain, approximately 150-200 grams.
Description
A delicate and refined example of French porcelain artistry, this T&V Limoges plate features a rhythmic garland of pink rosebuds and turquoise blue florals. The white-ware is exceptionally bright, accented by fine gold gilding that catches the light. This piece represents the pinnacle of late 19th-century French exports intended for high-society dining rooms in North America and Europe.
Key Features
Dual-mark system (fabrication and decoration); translucent hard-paste body; distinct Belle Époque floral garland; pink bell T.V. logo.
Material & Composition
Hard-paste porcelain (Kaolin-based). This is not silver; the gold detailing at the rim is 24k gold leaf (gilt) fired onto the glaze. No sterling or silver content is present.
Finish & Decoration
White vitreous glaze with hand-painted or transfer-applied pink rosebuds and blue forget-me-nots floral garlands. Features a double-line gold gilded rim with a scalloped-edge visual aesthetic and a gold circular accent in the center well.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Green 'LIMOGES FRANCE' underglaze white-ware mark (indicating the piece was fired in Limoges). Pink 'T.V.' inside a bell over 'LIMOGES FRANCE' overglaze decorating mark (used between 1892 and 1907) signifying the finishing studio.
Construction Details
Slip-cast or jiggered hard-paste porcelain fired at high temperatures (approx. 1400°C) to achieve translucency and durability. Non-porous body with fused glaze.
Functional Features
Slightly raised rim to contain crumbs or sauces; circular indentation in the center suggests it could double as a large saucer, though the flat well is characteristic of a small plate.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A - Rimmed plate design without handles.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality porcelain body with no inclusions or kiln debris. The gilding is applied with precision, and the transfer/hand-painted floral elements are perfectly aligned along the rim circumference.
Authentication Indicators
The green underglaze mark and pink overglaze T&V bell mark are classic markers of authentic Limoges production. The translucency of the porcelain when held to light confirms hard-paste manufacturing.
Origin & Manufacturing
Limoges, France. Produced in the Haute-Vienne region, the global center for quality hard-paste porcelain due to local kaolin deposits.
Era & Period
Late Victorian / Belle Époque (circa 1890-1910). The delicate floral motifs and gilding represent the transitional period between High Victorian ornate and Art Nouveau naturalist styles.
Age Estimate
Circa 1892-1907, based on the specific pink T&V bell mark and the style of the green 'Limoges France' mark.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'White Gold' era of Limoges, where owning French porcelain was the ultimate status symbol for the emerging middle and upper classes in the Gilded Age.
Condition Notes
Excellent condition. The glaze remains bright with no visible 'crazing' (cracking). Heavy gilding shows minimal rubbing. No chips, cracks, or flea bites visible on the rim or foot ring.
Value Estimate
$20 - $45 USD per plate. Values increase when sold as part of a larger set or if the specific pattern is sought after for replacements.
Care & Maintenance
Hand wash only in lukewarm water with mild detergent. Do not use in a dishwasher as the high heat and chemicals will strip the gold gilding. Never microwave due to the metallic gold content.
Similar Pieces
Haviland & Co. Limoges floral patterns (often more naturalistic); Bernardaud Limoges (more modern styles); Theodore Haviland (similar export market quality).
Interesting Facts
Tressemann & Vogt were innovators in the porcelain industry, often hiring famous artists to design their patterns. By the turn of the century, they were one of the largest exporters of porcelain to the United States.