Tournai soft-paste porcelain charger. Pattern: "Ronda" (also known as Décor à la Ronda or the "fly" pattern). Date: Circa 1760–1780. Dimensions: 38 cm (rare large "charger" or "serving platter" size). Condition: Features original "pepper spots" (iron impurities in the paste) which are characteristic of 18th-century production and confirm its age. Small chips visible. Please see photos. Historical Description The Tournai factory was established in 1750 by François Joseph Peterinck in what was then the Austrian Netherlands (modern-day Belgium). It quickly became one of the most prominent porcelain manufacturers in Europe, rivaling the artistic quality of Sèvres in France and the technical innovation of Meissen in Germany. The Ronda pattern became the factory's most enduring success. Its simple, hand-painted blue sprigs captured the 18th-century taste for "naturalistic" floral designs. Because it was so popular, it remained in production until the factory finally closed its doors in 1891. The Plate featured, however, is a rare early example from the factory's "Golden Age" in the late 18th century.