Asparagus dish St Clement, 19th century, Keller & Guérin

This asparagus dish is featured in Maryse Bottero's book "Artichauts et Asperges en Barbotine," where it is celebrated for its authenticity and elegance. The dish bears the distinctive maker's mark on the reverse, a testament to its prestigious origin. Founded by Jacques Chambrette in 1758, the St. Clément pottery boasts a rich history of producing traditional French faïence. The factory was managed by Charles Loyal, Paul Louis Cyfflé, and architect Richard Mique before being acquired by Keller and Guérin at the beginning of the 19th century. From the 1860s, St. Clément began producing majolica pieces for about forty years, renowned for their subtle color shading. St. Clément majolica includes a variety of figural pieces such as rooster and duck-shaped pitchers, as well as various vases and asparagus and artichoke plates. These pieces are often marked with an impressed 'SAINT CLEMENT' and may also include the letters 'KG' for Keller and Guérin, indicating their quality and provenance.