A lovely pair of uncommon original watercolours of porcelain services.

Desvres, situated in the north of France was a leading centre for porcelain design. The first earthenware factory in Desvres was founded in 1764 by Jean-François Sta, a Desvres lawyer, using local materials. Starting in 1804, François Fourmaintraux brought prosperity by copying popular products from the Delft, Moustiers, Nevers, Strasbourg or Rouen porcelain works. During the nineteenth century, Desvres became the most important earthenware centre in northern France. George Martel, active circa 1900, set up one of the largest ceramic factories in the area.

Two sheets (47 x 63 cm.) depicting porcelain services in watercolour on an egg-shell blue background (linen-backed), each sheet showing up to nine designs, each sheet with the stamp of Georges Martel, the designs captioned in ink manuscript with updated price labels. Framed and glazed. Dimensions: 77 by 61cm.