Wasmuël Majolica Oyster Plate

Victorian

Late 19th century | Belgium

A nineteenth century antique majolica oyster plate by the Belgian majolica factory La faïencerie de Wasmuël. Decoratively modelled in high relief and coloured in browns, blues and greens with six oyster shaped wells around a central well. A beautiful oyster plate as popular today as it was when it was first made (see The Gen).

DIMENSIONS: Diameter 25.5 cm.

SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: Possible indecipherable decorator’s marks in blue glaze.

CONDITION: The plate is in very good condition with wear consistent with an antique age and use. There is a minor chip to the rim which has been restored and is more evident on the back of the plate.

REFERENCES: For an example of this oyster plate see Marvellous Majolica: An Easy Reference and Price Guide, Jeffrey B. Snyder, Schiffer Publishing Limited, 2001, p. 131.

~~~~~~~~~~~

THE GEN

“Whilst oysters have been eaten since ancient times, the people of the Victorian age brought their serving to the highest degree of opulence. In America in the late nineteenth century, fortunes were made, people began to travel extensively. They saw oyster related items of china and silver in the grand hotels, dining cars and steamships and had to have them in their own homes. Formal dinners of five to eighteen courses were not unusual, and a rigid etiquette dictated a different service for each course, bringing oyster plates and silver serving utensils into popularity.” (Oyster Plates, Vivian & Jim Karsnitz, Schiffer Publishing Limited, 1993, p. 16)

~~~~~~~~~~~