Dated 1912.
Impeccably hand painted by an American porcelain artist, signed and dated: 'Forestine Mann, 1912'. This is an excellent historical example of the conventionalized porcelain art style typical of the 1900-1915 period in early 20th Century America. This beautiful original handmade design features a concentric circle or Gilded Ring of Pansies within an outer Roman Gold ring which encircles the plate. Each pansy flower is overlaid upon the outer Gold Ring and each petal is delicately outlined with raised gold paste. It is really a marvelous symmetrical composition, similar perhaps to ones which were featured as 'art studies' in post-1910 issues of KERAMIC STUDIO magazine. One can imagine the time consuming layout required to prepare this plate for painting. The symmetrical characteristics typical of the 'conventionalized' art style (such as seen in this example) required a logical, practical approach to china painting, with the need of taking careful measurements and good arithmetic to make the design 'fit' the plate....no small feat, especially for artists who do not like to measure.... and we suspect there were and still are many creative souls who fall into that category! This artist, with the beautiful first name of 'Forestine', did an expert job to make sure her pansies perfectly fit the plate. Each is painted in soft blues, pale yellows and white tones, with deep royal purple lines toward the center of each flower. This is a very sweet heirloom hand painting upon fine antique French porcelain, sure to become a charming focal point anywhere it is displayed. It would also make a perfect under plate for a very special small display piece with compatible artistry.
Excellent condition
9-1/8"
Bears the 'Haviland France' pottery under glaze mark in green, of Limoges, France.

© 2007 Rosenquist Collection