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A rare and beautiful piece of antique Limoges porcelain, this hand-painted kidney-shaped tray carries two distinct marks — a hallmark of high-quality French export porcelain of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
MARKS: The green underglaze scrollwork cartouche identifies the blank as made by William Guérin & Co. (W.G. & Co.), one of Limoges' premier porcelain manufacturers, active 1872–1932. The inclusion of "France" in the mark places manufacture after the 1891 McKinley Tariff Act, dating this piece to c. 1891–1905. A second overglaze mark in red — likely an American importer or independent decorating studio — confirms this piece was finished and sold through the US export trade.
DECORATION: The center is painted with a naturalistic study of two Lady's Slipper Orchids (Cypripedium) in luminous yellows and warm amber, each bloom showing the characteristic spotted markings of this rare native wildflower. The elongated leaves are rendered in cool blue-grey, creating botanical depth and dimension. The painting quality is consistent with professional French atelier decoration.
FORM & GILDING: The scalloped kidney (crescent) shape features embossed scrollwork border with a rich burnished gold gilt edge. This form was prized for vanity and dresser sets, salon display, and decorative presentation.
✦ CONDITION: Excellent✦ DIMENSIONS: Width: 13 1/4" Height: 8 1/4"
A distinguished example of American-market Limoges at its finest. Ships carefully packed.
