Antique French Blue Transferware Warming Plate

This is a rarely seen antique French terre de fer warming platter, dating from the early 20th Century.

With a very pretty blue transferware plate fixed to a pewter base, it has been a long while since I've been able to source a warming plate. This example has some gorgeous age to it, making it particularly attractive.

Designed to keep food served at the dinner table warm, hot water can be poured into the base unit, which has a screw top cap to keep it sealed. Food on the plate could then be kept warmer for longer.

This warming platter has a simple, classic shape with elegantly sculpted, scrolled handles. The plate has buttery coloured stained crazing all over. There is also a crack to the plate on one side but this is stable. It's a highly decorative piece. 

Length, 31cm; Width, 28cm; Diameter of plate, 24.5cm; Height, 6cm