French holly plates

 

French “Houx” Holly Plates – 3 Available

8 7/8”

c.1900–1930

Description:

Beautiful antique French plates in the classic Houx (holly) pattern, produced by HB-C during the early 20th century. Each plate features a hand-applied green and red holly border with charming variations from plate to plate—typical of faïence production of the period. All three plates measure approximately 8 7/8”.

Expected antique character throughout, including even craquelure, light utensil wear, subtle toning, and minor rim wear. No cracks. Colors and intensity of the green and red vary slightly from plate to plate, adding to their individual charm.

Styling:

A perfect French touch for holiday tables, dessert settings, or breakfast during the season. They layer beautifully with ironstone, simple white ceramics, red transferware, or rustic Provençal linens. Lovely for everyday display as well—stacked on open shelving or styled with greenery and ribbon.

Historical Context:

The Houx pattern was produced by HB-C (Hautin Boulanger / Choisy-le-Roi in partnership with Keller & Guérin Lunéville) and distributed through EPC in the early 1900s. Holly motifs were popular in French faïence at the turn of the century, often used for festive but not overly formal tableware. The slight color shifts and hand-touched details seen across this set are characteristic of the period’s artisanal methods.