3 old talking plates – Creil & Montereau

Set of 3 vintage talking plates in black and green print on a white background, from the famous pottery of Creil-Montereau, whose activity dates back to 1797: No 5: Cré non! Pas de Chance (faded), No 6: Le Galant Hussard, No 11: La Jeune Bergère. Stamped on the reverse "Creil & Montereau Médailles d’Or L M & Cie". A true fashion phenomenon in the 19th century, the fine earthenware plates known as "talking" feature a historical and captioned decor. The subjects cover, among other things, military life, hunting, monuments, or the customs of urban and rural French society. Fables, rebuses, proverbs, and popular songs are also represented or inscribed on these often satirical or caricatured pieces. The talking plate is not a 19th-century invention, but it experienced unprecedented development in France at that time, thanks to the serial printing process of the decor: from a single engraved original, it is now possible to reproduce a decor in multiple copies without the need for painters. The series are generally made up of twelve plates and are numbered or not, most often captioned, with or without a title, dealing with the same subject. They constitute a sort of inventory in twelve vignettes, sometimes with a didactic dimension. Each plate makes sense individually and within the series. The talking plates were either ornamental or used as dessert ware. Some series were collector's items displayed on showcase cabinets, above fireplaces, or hung on walls. Others were objects of entertainment, with the decor gradually revealing itself during the meal. For collectors and enthusiasts of antique tableware. Sold as is with imperfections noted and/or visible in the photos. Diameter 19.8 cm.