Delightful antique French Gien faience 5pc 8.5" cabinet plate set, "Bouffoneries" or "Antics" figural scenes with blue & white borders and charming visual & decorative appeal! A grouping of five here, all numbered and include numbers 2, 5, 6, 7 and 11. They each have different figural scenes entitled "Je Suie Content De N'avoid Rien Tue A La Chasse! J'ai De Ja Bien Assez De Porter Mon Chien Qui Est Las", "Plaisir De Pecher A La Ligne Sur Un Chemin De Halage", "Bah! L'Empereur Ta Parle Oui! Il M'A Dit: Marque Dong Le Pas Imbecile", "Oui! Je L'Arreteraie S'il Frappait Son Chien, Mais Il Ne Bat Que A Femme, Cela Ne Me Regarde Pas" and "J'Vous Defendons De Tirer Nor Cochons En Caricature". The blue underglaze marks on the backs read "Medaille a L'Exposition Universelle De 1855, Gien G.G. & Cie". There are also die stamped marks in the backs that look like "5" and "U". The maker Geoffrey, Guerin & Company circa mid to late 1800s.
Often known simply as Gien Pottery, after its location in that city. It was established in about 1822 by Merlin Hall, the English founder of the factory of Creil & Montereau, which specialised in earthenwares decorated with English scenes to appeal to the English market. The pottery in Gien, on the other hand, specialised in traditional French earthenwares with scenes and motifs taken from French historical sources, heraldic emblems and contemporary politics. In 1856 it came under the ownership of Geoffroy, Guerin & Cie and thereafter it exhibited at international exhibitions in Paris (1844, where it won an award) and 1867, in London (1862) and Vienna (1873).
Very good condition. One, number 5, has a hairline crack visible on the left side and noted with asterisk in the pictures. Some slight discolorations and surface scratching, also some crazing to the glaze. There are a few chips visible from the back but nothing really to detract from their overall visual & decorative appeal.
