Haviland Limoges Porcelain Oyster Plate, Five Wells, Aesthetic Movement Floral

A mark-documented Haviland and Co. Limoges oyster plate, c.1885, with five shaped wells and Aesthetic Movement floral decoration. The base carries two marks: the green underglaze H and Co L factory mark and the red overglaze Haviland and Co. Limoges decorator mark, meaning the plate was both made and decorated at the Haviland works in Limoges, France. The white porcelain ground is dressed in soft blue roses, rust foliage, and bellflowers across a scalloped border, the wells rimmed in gold. This paired-mark format is the classic Haviland combination of the late 19th century, consistent with the c.1885 date; oyster plates peaked in these decades as refrigerated rail brought fresh oysters inland. The gilt is notably worn from use.