Limoges Floral Charger from L Strauss & Co. (1890's)

This beautiful charger was made for export to the American market in the late 19th Century and graced one of the finer homes in Davenport, Iowa. It is a hand painted floral feast with gold accents and colorful pink and yellow roses and other flowers that swirl around the plate and beg for attention. The piece was made in Limoges by Lewis Strauss & Sons (LS & S) and its provenance can be seen on the back of the plate.

As a charger, i.e., an underplate for additional dishes to set upon it, it would sit at the part of the table or on a server, but never be used as a plate itself. It measures about 14 inches across and is a bit ovoid in manufacture. It has intricate porcelain embellishments with swirls and curlicues abounding.

While this would make a beautiful charger even today, and it has certainly been used as such over the years, it was hung for display by the Spurrier Family in their Dining Room. There is wear on the golden handles. If it could only speak, what interesting news it might be able to tell us...