You've seen these for decades, part of group photos or backdrop for items we've sold. Charles Ahrenfeldt, Limoges, France was one of the finest decorators of elegant raised gold enamel plates. I have 2 sets we combined to expand a table (the other 4 are sold separately, slightly different. Ahrenfeldt, Limoges, won Grand Prize at the St Louis 1904 Expo, and this is noted on the back of each of the 6 matching plates in this set. This grouping of 6 spectacularly decorated French Limoges Belle Epoch cabinet or dinner plates so rich in raised gold enamel and encrusted gold trim, these have been in my china hutch for decades. Our favorite formal dinner is 6 guests, but when we expanded to 10 friends, we added in a set of 4 similar which are listed separately now. No, not eaten from, but to set the welcoming table - place plates. I've always been pretty protective of this antique set - the plus is no utensil marks; the negative, only useful with a plate layered on top. Typically, I've set a formal table with these and my others at each place, and we serve first course on 8.5" complimenting antique white/gold plate set directly on top of these so the elaborate enamel border shows. Then, this plate and the smaller entremet plate are removed from table and replaced with a gold rimmed dinner plate, also antique French, (of greatly lesser replacement value) for main course. Sometimes this formal set will return to table with a dessert plate on top to end the meal as pretty as it started. Lots of fun memories in our decades with these, and surely a long history of other formal dinners for a century before. The plates are c.1890-1920, Charles Ahrenfeldt, Limoges masterpieces. Made and stamped for marketing through the famed jewelers, Jaccard's of Kansas City, Missouri, USA - itself another pillar of elegant history, and help us date the plates to about 1905-25. Full measurements noted on photos.
Very good to excellent condition throughout. No chips, no harilines, no loss of raised gold, entirely hand painted, applied. The encrusted gold edging/borders are complete and superb, as well but for a 5/8" long spot outer rim of 1 plate, which has a touchup. I've featured it in our photos with XX so you can evaluate it. Typically, I've set that one plate for myself and I don't think anyone's ever noticed the slight imperfection at all, even in the cabinet where they're on display. The finest sets have the gold around the bottom base, which you see on this set. The set includes only 6 at this point in time, and you are buying 6. In Paris often, I usually make a visit to the porcelain department at Bon Marche just to see what the modern raised gold dinner plates are priced. Last time I checked, the prices ranged from $600 to $2800 a single plate, and truly these antique ones are more beautiful. We used to sell a lot of sets of these elegant Belle Epoche raised gold French and English plates, but it's just about impossible to find them anymore. Don't miss these!
