Antique Serving Platter – Manufacture Frank Haviland – Limoges, c. 1900–1915

This magnificent Limoges porcelain serving platter was produced under the Frank Haviland name in the early 20th century, around 1900–1915. Its scattered decoration of pink flowers and polychrome foliage, enhanced with aged-looking gold accents, elegantly reflects the aesthetic of the Belle Époque.

The rim is articulated with molded shell-shaped relief and a gently undulating border. Two pierced handles, featuring botanical forms highlighted in gold, add a sculptural touch that emphasizes the refinement of this piece. The luminous whiteness of the porcelain enhances the delicacy and fine detail of the floral decoration.

The deliberately irregular and patinated gold accents contribute fully to the piece's antique and decorative character. Their nuanced appearance is a genuine aesthetic feature rather than simply the result of wear.

The reverse bears the marks “Haviland France” and “Frank Haviland Limoges.” This serving platter can be used as a presentation piece or simply displayed as a decorative object. It would naturally complement an elegant table or a classic, romantic, or Belle Époque-inspired interior.

Frank Haviland (1886–1971), better known as Frank Burty Haviland, was born in Limoges into the family of renowned porcelain manufacturers of the same name. The son of porcelain industrialist Charles Edward Haviland, he grew up surrounded by the world of porcelain but chose not to become a porcelain manufacturer, preferring instead to devote himself first to music and later to painting. He was the youngest of the three sons of Charles Edward Haviland and Madeleine Burty, his elder brothers being Paul and Jean Haviland. His elder brother Paul became a photographer, writer, and art critic, while Jean remained connected to Limoges. Growing up in a family immersed in art and culture helped shape the artistic environment in which Frank developed. His name nevertheless appears on Limoges porcelain pieces decorated and marketed under the Frank Haviland name in the early 20th century. He would later become a significant figure in Cubism and a close associate of Picasso and Braque.