Sarreguemines Flore Transferware Tazza
A vintage French faience (earthenware) tazza dish with a beautiful antique blue transferware floral pattern. The pattern is called "Flore" from U & C Sarreguemines (Utzschneider and Co), one of the best known faience manufactures in France. The maker's mark dates the tazza to 1900.
A tazza is a wide, shallow dish which sits atop a short stem with a wide based foot. The word ‘Tazza’ translates to ‘cup’ in Italian, and is usually used for displaying and serving smaller items of food, such as hors d’oeuvres.
Transferware, which got its start in Italy in the late 17th century, is glazed ceramic ware decorated using an engraved copper or steel plate, which is printed onto paper and then transferred onto a ceramic piece. French faience came into being in 1689 when King Louis XIV needed money and taxed tableware made of gold and silver.
History of Sarreguemines Pottery: In 1790, despite the unfavorable economic climate of the Revolution, Nicolas-Henri Jacobi and two partners set up the first faience factory in the commune of Sarreguemines. The city was brought to the top of the earthenware industry with their collections of earthenware, vases, flowerpots and wall frescos, which drew Napoleon I to become one of the factory’s major customers. The factory was so well known that they supplied most of the original tiles used to decorate the walls of the Paris metro! During the 2nd World War, the factory was seized and managed by Villery & Boch. After the war the Sarreguemines factory went on to specialize in the production of ceramic floor and wall tiles and in 1979 their production of faience came to an end.
Found in France
Stamped with an “N” and “M” on the underside
Small chip on underside of plate
Minor hairline crack on one side
Thin crack encircling the center of the plate
Some crazing and staining across the top of the plate portion
Overall condition consistent with age and use
Plate measures approximately 8.5” W x 1.5” H
Available for pick up, local delivery, and nationwide shipping.
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