Crystal Staircase Veuve Desarnaud Porcelain Plates Empire Period Restoration Nineteenth

Marie Jeanne Rosalie Désarnaud at the Crystal Staircase Set of 8 fruit dessert plates Hard porcelain with polychrome decoration and gold highlights Period early 19th century Diameter: 22 cm Extremely rare set of 8 hard porcelain dessert plates, each gilded and polychrome decoration depicting a fruit. Note a decoration of a pomegranate, grape, blackcurrant, peach, apple, redcurrant, hazelnut and strawberry. All plates except one are signed on the reverse in red: Veuve Désarnaud à l'Escalier de Cristal in Paris. The Crystal Staircase (1808-1923) House founded in 1808 by Marie Jeanne Rosalie Désarnaud in the galleries of the Palais Royal garden with her brother Philippe Auguste Charpentier. This establishment quickly acquired a significant reputation. In 1812, the house specialized in crystals and gilded bronze, like the toilet of the Duchess of Berry, now kept in Paris, at the Louvre Museum. Sole owner of the store upon the death of her brother in 1815, the widow Désarnaud continued to make her business prosper, thus obtaining a princely clientele and the title of Supplier of the King's Crystals. In 1819, she won the gold medal for crystals adorned with gilded bronze at the Exhibition of Industrial Products of 1819. After making her fortune, she sold her business to Jacques Boin in 1829. Probably one of the greatest furniture houses of the 19th century, it can be considered as the heir of the Merchants Merciers of the 18th century Literature: Annick and Didier MASSEAU, L'Escalier de Cristal, luxury in Paris 1809-1923, edition Monelle Hayot Rapport Condition: A few small chips, some wear to the decor but the general very freshness of the decor. Free delivery for France