An American, David Haviland, was an importer of French and English porcelains during the early to mid-1800s's. In 1849 he moved his family to Limoges, France, to begin his own porcelain manufacturing and decorating factory and as a result, Haviland China, was born. Upon his death in 1879, his two sons split the company. Charles formed Haviland & Co., while Theodore formed Theodore Haviland. These plates are from the Charles Haviland Company.

These unique and beautiful cabinet plates, circa 1870-1880, were decorated outside the Haviland factory on white blanks in a home studio environment by a skilled artisan. Each of the four plates portray a different floral and scenic central cartouche.

The first plate is decorated russet and yellow nasturtiums nestled among shaded green leaves and vines. The central theme in gray/black shows a tree lined country stream meandering along with a cloudy sky in the background.

The second plate is decorated with blue, purple and violet bachelor buttons and buds on long green stems with narrow green leaves. The central theme in gray/black shows a country pasture, rail fence and trees.

The third plate is decorated with pink, yellow, blue and purple sweet peas and buds nestled among variegated green leaves and vines. The central theme in gray/black shows a country field, section of rail fence, trees and cloudy sky in the background.

The fourth plate is decorated with a green leafy vine covered with delicate white flowers. The central theme in gray/black shows a covered buggy traveling down a tree lined country road.

The plates measure 7 5/8" across with gold edge. Only one plate is stamped with the Haviland & Company, under-glaze green Mark F, circa 1876-1889, even though they all match. All four plates are initialed by the artist "SMD" and three of the plates are dated "1885". There are no cracks, chips or repairs on this fabulous set.