Six Gien “Rambouillet” Dessert Plates – Hunting Dogs, France, 1960s–1970s
Set of Six Gien “Rambouillet” Dessert Plates – Hunting Dogs, France, 1960s–1970s
A finely matched set of six hand-painted dessert plates from Gien’s celebrated “Rambouillet” service, designed by Jean Bertholle in the 1950s for the presidential hunting lodge at Château de Rambouillet. Each plate depicts a different hunting dog in vivid naturalistic detail, set against a woodland ground with autumn foliage. This smaller format (assiettes à dessert, approx. 20 cm diameter) is particularly sought after as a complement to the larger dinner and soup plates.
Subjects represented:
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Black Retriever (possibly Labrador or Flat-coated Retriever) – shown retrieving a pheasant.
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White Pointer (English Pointer) – in classic pointing stance.
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Pair of Spaniels (likely Brittany Spaniels or Epagneul Français) – one alert, one crouching, both in hunting posture.
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Irish Setter (or Red Setter) – reclining in a forest setting.
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Black-and-white Hound (possibly Beagle or Petit Bleu de Gascogne) – standing alert among foliage.
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Retriever (Black Labrador or Chesapeake-type) – seated with game bird in mouth near water.
Functions and hunting roles:
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Pointers and Setters – bred for bird hunting, locating and holding game birds for the gun.
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Spaniels – flushing birds from cover.
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Retrievers – recovering downed game, especially waterfowl.
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Hounds (Beagle-type) – traditionally used for scent-trailing small game such as hare or fox.
Diameter: approx. 20 cm (7.9 in.)
Mark: Gien France, décoré à la main (all plates carry the same mark)
Condition: Excellent, with no chips, cracks, or repairs
All six plates carry this mark on the back (with different painters initials). This dates their production to sometime between 1960 and 1971.
