Victorian Hand-Painted Majolica Cheese/Sandwich Server, 10

A richly modeled and hand-painted Victorian majolica-style serving plate / sandwich (or cheese) server, featuring a luminous white ground framed by an exuberant raised leaf-and-vine border in layered green glaze, with pierced handles and a finely detailed polychrome floral reserve at center (rose and cornflower tones surrounded by buttery yellow blossoms and stippled enamel-like accents). This piece has the unmistakable hallmarks collectors seek in late-19th-century decorative ceramics: deep relief modeling, transparent and semi-opaque lead-glaze effects, and freehand brushwork rather than transfer printing. The absence of a factory backstamp is consistent with a number of continental European workshops producing high-quality decorative wares for the export market in the Victorian period. Probable origin, date, and attribution (best assessment) • Date: circa 1880–1900 (late Victorian) • Place of manufacture (best assessment): Continental Europe—most consistent with France or Bohemia/Austria region • Reasoning (what supports this): the raised, glossy green “majolica” border, pierced handle treatment, and the hand-painted floral reserve with gilded scroll flourishes align closely with late-19th-century European majolica revival and export ceramics, which were frequently left unmarked or had marks applied only to partial runs. Note: With no impressed/painted mark, an exact maker attribution cannot be responsibly guaranteed. The above is a best-faith collector-oriented assessment based on visible construction and decoration. ⸻ Form, size, and how it was made Ceramic: glazed earthenware (majolica-style), hand-painted and hand-finished Construction: molded body with high-relief applied/molded border, pierced handle openings, glazed and kiln-fired; decoration executed by hand with enamel/overglaze-style detailing and gilded flourishes, then fired to set. Measurements (fully stated) • Overall diameter (including handles): 10 in (25.4 cm) • Serving well diameter: 9 3/4 in (24.8 cm) • Overall height (including handles): 2 in (5.1 cm) • Overall width/diameter confirmation: 10 5/8 in including handles (as provided) ⸻ Intended uses (what this form is perfect for) Traditionally used as a sandwich plate, cheese server, or tea table serving dish. Ideal for: • finger sandwiches, petits fours, macarons • cheeses, fruit, and pâtisserie • nuts, confectionery, or petits appetizers • display as a cabinet plate (the pierced handles and sculptural rim present beautifully upright) ⸻ Condition report (clear, no surprises) • One small chip on the green rim (photographed in close-up). This is the only noted damage. • Light surface wear consistent with age; the ceramic body shows minor textural irregularity/roughness typical of hand-finished earthenware and older glazes. • No maker’s mark on the underside. ⸻ Why collectors want it • Strong Victorian majolica revival aesthetic with sculptural rim modeling • Hand-painted central florals (not a transfer print) • Uncommon pierced-handle form, reads as a “special-occasion” server • High display value: saturated green border against a crisp white ground Victorian majolica, majolica revival, hand painted, earthenware, cheese server, sandwich plate, tea service, cabinet plate, pierced handles, raised leaf rim, polychrome florals, continental European ceramics, circa 1890.