Antique Orchies Majolica Plate with Pears & Blossoms

Orchies Majolica Plate with Pears & Blossoms

Orchies, France, c. 1890–1900

A late-19th-century majolica plate by Orchies, bearing the impressed windmill mark on the reverse. Orchies was a leading northern French faience and majolica manufacturer, known for its richly molded botanical motifs and distinctive use of translucent, softly graduated glazes.

The central motif presents a pair of stylized pears, modeled in relief with two opposing leaves and a finely detailed stem cluster. The rim alternates between small blossom medallions and basket-weave panels—an ornamental vocabulary frequently used by Orchies in their tablewares of this period.

The glaze work blends rose, celadon, warm ochre, and pale chartreuse in smooth gradients that settle naturally into the relief, creating depth and subtle tonal variation. The surface shows the tight, even craquelure characteristic of late-19th-century lead-glazed majolica.

A charming and distinctly Orchies example, ideal on its own or layered with other French faience and majolica.

Condition

Excellent antique condition with stable craquelure and minor firing irregularities typical of Orchies production. No structural issues.