Rare Antique Villeroy & Boch Mettlach Collection: "Alt Strassburg" (9 Pieces). ---- A Historical Chronology of the "Sarre" & "Saar" Eras (1920s–1950s) *This curated 9-piece service in the iconic "Alt Strassburg" / "Vieux Strasbourg" pattern is a remarkable find for enthusiasts of Villeroy & Boch. *Material: Premium Fine Earthenware (Mettlach Steingut) with a high-gloss lead-free glaze. *These pieces are not merely functional tableware; they are historical artifacts from the unique periods when the Saar region was geographically and economically separated from Germany. *Some fascinating historical note: The Mettlach factory, founded in 1809, became the 'heart' of Villeroy & Boch production. It was famous not only for its tableware but also for its mosaic tiles—which can even be found on the including the luxurious floors of the RMS Titanic! Owning a piece from Mettlach is owning a slice of that same world-class engineering and artistic heritage. ---- *Collection Overview: Brand: Villeroy & Boch Factory: Mettlach, Germany Pattern: "Alt Strassburg" (Dresden Flowers Style) Total Pieces: 9 (1 pc. Large Serving Platter, 3 pcs. Dinner Plates, 3 pcs. Soup Plates, 2 pcs.side/bread plates --- Detailed Inventory & Condition Report: 1. The Centerpiece: Large Oval Serving Platter (1 piece) *Dimensions: 40 cm x 26 cm (Model 1562) *: «Fabrique en Sarre» (Rare Interwar Era, 1920–1935) *Condition: Features beautiful, age-appropriate all-over crazing (crackle) in the glaze. The floral "Dresden" bouquet remains exceptionally vivid and glossy. A true museum-quality historical piece. 2. The Dinner Plates (3 pieces) *Dimensions: 25 cm (Standard Dinner Size) *Stamps & Condition: 1 pc: «Fabrique en Sarre» (c. 1920s) with light, delicate crazing. 2 pcs: "Made in Saar" (c. 1950s) in Near Mint / "Almost New" condition. Smooth, glossy glaze with virtually no signs of age. Only one plate have very light, almost invisible, cracle. 3. The Soup Plates (3 pieces) *Dimensions: 21.5 cm (Deep Soup/Pasta size) *Stamps & Condition: 2 pcs: «Fabrique en Sarre» (c. 1920s) in Excellent/Pristine condition. Finding 100-year-old earthenware from this era without crazing is exceptionally rare. 1 pc: "Made in Saar" (c. 1950s) with all-over crazing on both sides, giving it a lovely antique patina. 4. Two pcs. of side plates: *Dimension: 17 cm *Stamps & Condition: 2 pcs: «Fabrique en Sarre» (c. 1920s) in Excellent/Pristine condition. Finding 100-year-old earthenware from this era without crazing is exceptionally rare. ---- The Historical Significance: This collection features two distinct and highly collectible backstamps: «Fabrique en Sarre» (1920–1935): Marking the period after WWI when the region was under a League of Nations mandate. "Made in Saar" (1947–1956): Marking the post-WWII era of the Saar Protectorate. The "Dresden Flower" artistry—featuring tulips, roses, and forget-me-nots—is legendary for its naturalism and sophisticated color transitions, making this set a masterpiece of European ceramic art. What are "Dresden" Color Transitions? This is one of the most sophisticated techniques in porcelain decoration. Put simply, it’s a method of making a drawing look three-dimensional and alive, like an oil painting, rather than "flat" like a coloring book. --- Here is the secret behind the "Dresden" transitions you can see on those plates: 1. Ultra-Fine Shading (Schattierung) 2. The Use of Layered Shades 3. The "Depth" Effect 4. Harmony with the Relief ---- Care: Due to the age (75–100 years) and the presence of antique glaze crackle, strictly hand wash only. Do not soak or microwave. --- * I package everything very carefully. to get your item safely to you. * I shipped next day after payment receiving (not in weeckend). * I will be happy to get a feedback after receiving. Good luck with bidding ! P.S. The Professional Collector's Note *Announcement for Collectors: Please keep an eye on my upcoming listings! I will shortly be releasing the final pieces of this historic "Alt Strassburg" service. The upcoming collection features 9 dinner plates, 7 soup plates, 2 side plates, and 2 rare sauce boats on fixed stands.