Antique French Transferware Cake Stand, Chinon Pattern, Choisy-le-Roi

Period
Late 19th to early 20th century, French

Size
9 inches across, 2⅛ inches tall

A French transferware footed cake stand in the Chinon pattern, made by H. Boulenger & Cie at Choisy-le-Roi, from a five-piece table service offered individually.

The stand has a shallow, slightly upturned dish set on a raised pedestal foot. The rim carries a laurel frieze printed in teal blue, paired sprigs tied off with ribbon at diamond medallions, lined along its inner edge with a narrow scalloped band. The same scalloped band repeats around the base of the foot. The glaze is a warm ivory.

The stand shows wear consistent with its age and use. Sold as found.

Historical Context
Laurel bound with ribbon is a classical motif, carried into nineteenth century French ceramic pattern books as part of the wider neoclassical revival. H. Boulenger & Cie ran the Choisy-le-Roi works from 1863, when Hippolyte Boulenger renamed the firm, until the factory closed in 1934. Chinon takes its name from the town on the Loire, the same naming convention Sarreguemines used for its own Obernai pattern.

Styling Ideas
Use it to raise a cake or a stack of pastries at the table, or as a jewelry catchall on a dresser. It also works as a riser in a vignette, holding a smaller object or a candle above its surroundings.