French Plate Transferware Rigolades No. 6 - Humorous Domestic Scene, 19th Century

French Transferware Plate "Rigolades Nº6" - Humorous Domestic Scene

Rare French earthenware transferware plate from the "Rigolades" (Laughs) series, decorated with a humorous 19th-century domestic scene. A historical piece that combines social satire, transferware art, and the tradition of everyday French ceramics.

Part Characteristics

• Origin: France - 19th-century ceramics
• Brand: "Bte ET Montferrand" (Brevet et Montferrand)
• Series: Rigolades No. 6 (series of humorous scenes)
• Technique: Transferware (intaglio) in black on a cream background.
• Decoration: Satirical domestic scene with two men
• Border: Elaborate geometric pattern in black with oval medallions.

The Humorous Scene

The center of the plate features a humorous domestic scene in a 19th-century bourgeois interior, with two men in period costumes. One of them, dressed in a coat and waistcoat, holds what appears to be a hat, while conversing with another man at a chest of drawers or desk. The composition evokes an everyday situation with a touch of humor characteristic of the Rigolades series.

The caption in French surrounds the scene: "JACQUES JE ONT M'APPELER INRÉGULIER ET TOUS LES JOURS AH! MACHINE ET TOUS LES JOURS" - a humorous dialogue that captures an everyday conversation with the irony typical of the time.

The Rigolades Series

"Rigolades" (Laughs) was a series of humorous dishes produced in France during the 19th century that satirized various aspects of daily life—military, domestic, social, and professional scenes. These pieces were popular among the French bourgeoisie, who appreciated visual humor and subtle social criticism.

The number "No. 6" indicates that this is the sixth scene in the series, confirming that there were multiple different humorous compositions, each depicting comical everyday situations.

Elaborate Decorative Border

The rim features a sophisticated geometric pattern in black transferware identical to that of other pieces in the series: scrolls, arabesques, oval medallions with floral ornaments, lozenges, and a sequence of stars framing the center. This type of elaborate decoration was characteristic of high-quality 19th-century French ceramics and gave visual uniformity to the series.

French Transferware Technique

The transferware or intaglio technique allowed for the reproduction of complex designs with great detail and consistency throughout the series. In this piece, the print quality is remarkable, with fine lines and shading that create depth in the domestic scene and border ornaments.

Social and Historical Context

This type of plate was produced during the 19th century, a period of great ceramic production in France. The humorous scenes reflected and satirized the customs, social relations, and everyday situations of French society at the time, serving simultaneously as decorative objects and as social commentary.

About Bte ET Montferrand

The mark "Bte ET Montferrand" (Brevet et Montferrand) indicates a French ceramic manufacturer. "Brevet" means patent, suggesting that the factory had patented processes or designs. This manufacturer produced the entire Rigolades series with consistent quality.

State of Conservation

Antique plate in good condition for its age (over 100 years). The transferware decoration remains well preserved with good definition of the scene and border details. Signs of vintage use consistent with its age, lending authenticity. Minor natural wear on the glaze. A historic collector's item.

A rare piece ideal for collectors of French transferware, to complete the Rigolades series, for those who appreciate ceramics with humorous themes, for scholars of 19th-century social history, or as a decorative object with historical significance. A testament to the French tradition of visual satire and the quality of French transferware ceramics.