Manufacture Jules Vieillard & Cie - Jules Vieillard - Plate (12) - Les ridicules de Paris - Earthenware, Enamel

This elegant set of twelve fine earthenware talking plates comes from the workshops of the Manufacture Jules Vieillard & Cie in Bordeaux. It belongs to the famous satirical series Les Ridicules de Paris, created in the third quarter of the 19th century. Each plate features a deep violet border printed on a white background, surrounding a black central scene captioned in French. The violet stamp on the back — used by the manufacturer between 1865 and 1875 — allows for precise dating of the production.

Each plate features a humorous vignette inspired by Parisian customs of the Second Empire: gallant exchanges, sentimental misunderstandings, promenade scenes, amusing situations, or light critiques of the bourgeoisie. The illustrations are characterized by their fine line work, reminiscent of engraving, and are accompanied by witty captions, such as:
You say I tear your heart, but that's no reason to tear my dress!
— 'Marquise, you ruin me.' — 'So much the better, I'll hold a lottery for you.'
I am led by Madame and well paid; it's an advantage I have over Monsieur.
And three times! Look at my address! Anatole, if you deceive me, I'll take your nose off!
The violet marli forms a regular decorative pattern composed of alternating floral cartouches, botanical scrolls, and beaded borders, creating a contrasted and refined frame around the central scene.

The set is in excellent overall condition for its age: eleven plates show only minor irregularities and characteristic cooking marks from the period's productions. One plate has a hair passing through but is perfectly stabilized; another has been restored with staples, an old heritage restoration method still visible on the back. A discreet small loss of material is also noted on one piece. The decorations remain sharp, the colors well preserved, and the overall set remains particularly homogeneous.

Founded in the early 19th century and taken over by Jules Vieillard in 1845, the Bordeaux earthenware factory then experienced a spectacular rise. Influenced by English productions but deeply rooted in French spirit, the manufacturer developed a recognizable style: fine white earthenware, impressions in colored monochromes, expressive series, and satirical humor typical of Paris. In the 1860s–1870s, the period to which these plates belong, the factory was one of the most important in France and excelled in the technique of transfer printing on earthenware. The Ridicules of Paris are among the emblematic series of the bourgeois taste of the Second Empire and testify to the graphic and narrative invention unique to the Vieillard house.

The average dimensions are:
- Diameter: 19.4 centimeters,
Height: 2.3 centimeters.
Total weight of the set: 2375 grams.

Each of the 12 plates will be carefully packaged, and the entire set will be shipped quickly and securely. In-store pickup and combined delivery are available. Photos are part of the description.