Early 19thC. hotsell French Grisaille Plate - Montereau -1805-1815

This extremely fine example of early French Faience represents the first use of transfer printing from copperplate onto earthenware porcelain.

The motif depicts the Expiation of Horace transferred en grisaille by copperplate onto a white body of lead-glazed earthenware. The effect was to emulate the creamware of Wedgwood which was dominating the fine porcelain market in Europe during the early 19th century.

Impressed "Montereau" on underside. This stamp authenticates this piece as one of the very earliest examples of French faience. Read history below)

CONDITION: Slight flea bite on outer rim. Scuffing of base.

Diameter 8 3/8" (21cm) Depth 7/8" (2.5cm) Weight 10oz

The faience manufactory at the village of Montereau-sur-le-Jard had been established by Jean Rognon, working there ca 1720-1740. After a lapse of faience manuifacture at Montereau in 1760, it was resumed by the English partnership ofClark, Shaw et Cie, who was later succeeded by another English entrepreneur, Christopher Potter (1751-1817). Potter first introduced in France the English technique of transfer printing from copperplate engravings onto earthenware and porcelain. This innovation transformed the pottery of Montereau from an artisanal phase to a proto-industry.

Between 1805 and 1815, to avoid conflicts with the pottery of Merlin-Hall at Montereau, Potter set up works in a former tile manufactory nearby, at Cannes-Ecluse. In 1819 the proprietor of the competing manufactory at Creil bought out Potter and the other owners of Montereau. Subsequently, the manufactory hotsell became well known as Creil-Montereau by 1820.

There are still rare examples of the work at Creil-Montereau to be found in museums and distinguished collections. This piece pre-dates them all as it is impressed Montereau on the underside as shown in the accompanying photos.