Geo Martel Desvres handpainted Delft imari style plate (26 cm)
$66.81
Beautiful large (26 cm) handpainted wall plate made between 1957 and 2003 by Geo. Martel Co. in Desvres, France. The plate is painted overglaze in the Delft imari style using red, blue and gold colours. The centre piece shows a flying bird among various Delft style flowers. The edge is decorated with alternating ornaments, featuring a flower, a bull and a carp. The painting is of very good quality, accurate and crisp. The painting does have a different character than true Dutch Delft style plates. Certain elements, such as the speckled outer border or the curly ornaments are usually not seen in Delft style painting, and probably have a French or oriental origin. This mixture of styles does make this plate a very interesting piece.
The backside of the plate is signed with a handpainted "Decor Delft" style name, the classification "fait main" (handpainted), the brand name "Geo Martel", an "E" and the roman number "VI". The meaning of these latter two marks is not exactly know to us, but the "E" might be a painters signature, while the "VI" might be a year mark or an internal factory mark. The full written "Geo Martel" and "fait main" mark make that this item should be dated between 1957 and 2003 (source: www.marks4antiques.com)
The dish has two small holes in its footring with a (probably factory original) bend metal and plastic wire through it for hanging it on a wall.
This is a beautiful and unique French Delft style plate, of which we have found no other examples on the internet. It will look great on a wall, but also on its own in a plate stand.
Made by: Geo. Martel Co.
Place of manufacture: Desvres, France
Year of manufacture: between 1957 and 2003
Method of decoration: handpainted (overglaze)
Size: diameter 25,7 cm, depth: 2,6 cm
Weight: 540 g
Condition: excellent, as new, the plate has no damages and no visible wear. The glaze is in an excellent condition, without any crazing. The blue, gold and red overglaze paint is bright and strong, without any fading or rubbing off.
Additional pictures of the object can be provided if required.
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About Geo Martel:
Georges Martel - Geo Martel - was a faience manufacturer who operated from 1900 to 1942 in Desvres, in the north of France. During the nineteenth century, Desvres had become the most important earthenware centre in northern France. It acquired fame through the reproduction of pieces and decorations of the famous earthenware from other regions (Delft, Moustiers, Nevers, Strasbourg or Rouen porcelain works). Georges Martel, active from circa 1900, set up one of the largest ceramic factories in the area. He invited many different artists to contribute to his production, which included faience, pottery figurines, artistic tableware and accessories. After his death in 1942, the factory was continued by Jacques Martel and later renamed to Geo. Martel Co. in 1957. Production continued under this name until 2003, when the factory closed its doors, just like most other pottery producers in Desvres. Presently, only a few small potteries still remain in Desvres that produce traditional earthenware.
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This beautiful item will be carefully packed and send by tracked and insured mail.
If you buy multiple items from our shop in one purchase, we will try to combine the items into one parcel. Any excess shipping costs will be refunded.
If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you may contact us within 14 days from the delivery date to return the item. If the item is returned in its original condition, we will issue a refund for the total purchase price of the item (return shipping costs are however not covered).
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How should I take care of my Dutch ceramics?
First of all, don't let them fall! Always handle them in a mindful way and put them in spots where they cannot be accidentally bumped over when cleaning or vacuuming. Some people put some (clean) sand in vases to make them more stable.
Second, don't clean them too often! Underglaze painted Gouda and Delftware can be perfectly cleaned with water if necessary, but often just dusting them off or polishing them up a bit with a soft dry cloth is enough. Overglaze painted items should not be cleaned too often.
The colours of ceramics do not fade in sunlight, so you can put them in bright spots where they look good. But do avoid large temperature differences, which will cause increased crazing in many Delftware and also Gouda type pieces.