Gien - Coffee set (14) - Oiseaux de paradis - Earthenware

Charming fine porcelain coffee service by the Gien factory, model “Paradis Birds,” dating most likely to the mid-20th century (around the 1950s–1970s, as indicated in particular by the post-war marking “Dishwasher safe”). This iconic decoration, introduced into the earthenware collection as early as the 19th century (circa 1865), is part of the tradition of naturalist designs inspired by European decorative arts, revisited with freshness and lightness by Gien.

The service comprises a coffee pot, a covered sugar bowl, a milk jug, five cups with their saucers, and an extra saucer. Each piece features soft, slightly curved shapes, typical of Gien productions in the 20th century: the coffee pot has a plump body resting on a small foot, extended by a slender spout and an elegantly raised handle; the sugar bowl, baluster-shaped, is topped with a convex lid surmounted by a leaf-frond knob; the milk jug, more open, repeats these rounded lines with a pinched spout. The cups, low and flared, sit on slightly contoured saucers edged with a blue fine line. The decoration, delicately applied, depicts exotic birds with multicolored plumage – greens, blues, yellows, and oranges – perched among slender floral stems and stylized foliage, in a Naïve yet refined spirit perfectly balanced by the creamy whiteness of the porcelain.

The set is in excellent condition, with a very smooth, glossy surface indicating careful use. Note only a small age-related chip at the edge of the sugar bowl and another on one cup. The undersides of the saucers show occasional small bursts of glaze, a characteristic of firing and not due to use—phenomena sometimes seen on this type of production. These light flaws remain discreet and do not affect the overall quality or presentation of the set.

Founded in 1821, the Gien earthenware company experienced a major renewal in the 20th century, drawing on its rich decorative repertoire that blends historical inspirations with modern adaptations. The “Paradis Birds” pattern, now a house classic, illustrates this continuity: heir to the great European naturalist motifs, it is here offered in a lively, accessible version adapted for contemporary use, notably with the emergence of technical markings such as dishwasher compatibility. This period reflects a successful balance between decorative tradition and modernization of processes, characteristic of post-war Gien production.

Average dimensions are:
* Shape pieces (Coffee pot > Sugar bowl > Milk jug):
- Height: 17 > 13 > 9.6 centimeters,
- Length: 23 > 9 > 11.3 centimeters,
- Width: 15 > 9 > 7 centimeters.

* Cups and saucers:
- Height: 5 > 2 centimeters,
- Width: 11.3 > 14.8 centimeters.

Total weight of the set: 2800 grams.

Each piece of the service will be individually carefully packed and the set will be shipped promptly in a secure manner. In-store pickup and combined delivery are available. Photos are part of the description.