Gien France “Les Fromages” Gastronomie Cheese Plate — French Faïence

The French have a plate specifically dedicated to cheese.

Of course they do.

This charming Gien France “Les Fromages” cheese plate comes from the maison’s Gastronomie collection and celebrates one of France’s more important cultural institutions: fromage.

Finished in creamy ivory with a graphic black border, the center features an illustrated stack of French cheeses beneath the wonderfully French inscription:

“Cette leçon vaut bien un fromage.”

Loosely: This lesson is certainly worth a cheese — a reference to La Fontaine’s famous fable Le Corbeau et le Renard.

The typography, vintage-style cheese illustration and restrained black-and-burgundy palette give it the feeling of an old French bistro menu.

At 8⅔ inches across, it is perfect for a small cheese course, appetizers, dessert, or displayed upright on an open kitchen shelf.

Made in France by Faïencerie de Gien, one of France’s historic ceramic manufacturers, founded in 1821. Gien continues to produce its faïence entirely in France.

The reverse bears the original Gien Gastronomie factory mark reading Made in France / Fait Main / Depuis 1821.

DETAILS

• Maker: Faïencerie de Gien
• Collection: Gastronomie – Les Fromages
• Made in France
• French faïence / glazed earthenware
• Cream / ivory ground
• Black decorative border
• Burgundy + black typography
• French cheese illustration
• French inscription
• Original Gien mark to reverse
• Original Gien paper label present in source photographs
• One plate

DIMENSIONS

8⅔" diameter

Approximately 22 cm diameter.

CONDITION

Excellent pre-owned condition based on the source photographs.

The original listing describes the plate as new with tags, and the original Gien label remains visible on the face of the plate. No obvious chips, cracks or major losses are visible.

Please review all photographs closely for condition.

DĒSSO NOTE

Obviously France made an entire plate about cheese.

I love this mixed into open kitchen shelving with mismatched white ceramics, old glassware and a pile of linen napkins.

Or do the civilized thing and actually use it for cheese.