Celadon Porcelain Saucer – Manufacture Théodore Haviland – Limoges, c. 1890–1910

Antique fine Limoges porcelain saucer, made by Théodore Haviland and retailed by the Parisian firm Au Vase Étrusque, located at 20 Boulevard Malesherbes in Paris.

This saucer belongs to a “Pâte Céladon” production, as indicated by the manufacturer's mark on the reverse. It features a delicate lichen-green celadon ground with a glossy glaze.

The hand-painted decoration consists of flowering branches reminiscent of cherry blossoms, with flowers and buds in varying shades of pink, combined with grey-brown branches. The deliberately asymmetrical composition, with floral motifs distributed across the surface and generous areas of undecorated ground, displays a distinct Japonisme influence.

The decoration favours lightness and restraint rather than a traditional floral composition: the branches are rendered in a free, slightly calligraphic style, while the pink blossoms add a delicate touch of colour against the celadon ground.

The reverse bears the green mark “PÂTE CÉLADON THÉODORE HAVILAND FRANCE”, together with the red mark of the Parisian firm “AU VASE ETRUSQUE.”

The presence of these two marks clearly distinguishes the manufacturer, Théodore Haviland of Limoges, from the Parisian firm Au Vase Étrusque, which retailed and commissioned porcelain pieces and other decorative arts. Auction records, including those published by Gazette Drouot, document pieces described as “Théodore Haviland pour la maison Au Vase Étrusque”, as well as Haviland celadon porcelain tea services bearing the Au Vase Étrusque mark.