Niderviller set of 6 Empire plates and tureen in hard-paste porcelain with wheat decoration painted in gold, 1790

This extremely rare set of antique plates is made of hard-paste porcelain from Niderviller. This Empire-style set comprises six beautiful 20.5 cm plates and a large tureen of the same pattern, 28 cm in diameter. From the "wheat ears" service, this tableware is decorated with a hand-painted gold design featuring a wide frieze of wheat ears and a gilt border. This rare set dates from the late 18th or very early 19th century, the Directoire-First Empire period. The Niderviller factory was founded in 1735 by Jean Louis Beyerlé. In 1765, the factory received a shipment of kaolin from Saxony and began producing hard-paste porcelain. Taking full advantage of its geographical location near Germany and its technical expertise, the finesse of its production often led to comparisons with the Sèvres Manufactory. These plates are signed with a gold "N" for the Niderviller factory and are numbered "a 447". In good condition, they show some scratches from use and wear to the gilding in places. Diameter: 20.5 cm. The tureen is in good condition, with some scratches from use, as well as a chip and a hairline crack at the notch in the lid. Dimensions: 26 cm high x 28 cm in diameter.