French transferware Plate circa1876 - 1895

Vintage or old finds. Revamped items from our hunting and collecting around Bay of Plenty. All items are found vintage, old and re-loved. Imperfections are part of their beauty and embraced. 

This French plate is a satirical political or moralizing plate from a famous series called "L'Esprit des Bêtes" (The Wit/Spirit of the Animals).

The Plate's Subject: "Le Coq"

The French Inscription: "Je suis le ferme soutien des lois & le défenseur de la propriété."

Translation: "I am the firm supporter of the laws & the defender of property.

The Satire: During the 19th century, it was very common to use anthropomorphic animals (animals dressed as humans) to comment on social classes, the military, or government officials. By portraying "The Rooster" (the national symbol of France) as a soldier protecting "property," the plate is engaging in the popular satirical tradition of the time, gently poking fun at the self-importance of the military and the bourgeois obsession with property rights.

The Manufacturer: C&M Montereau

Your back stamp identifies this plate as being from the Creil-Montereau factory.

• Historical Context: This is one of the most famous and prolific French earthenware manufacturers of the 19th century. The partnership of Creil & Montereau (C&M) produced an immense amount of "talking plates" for the French middle class.

• The Series: The stamp "L'ESPRIT DES BÊTES" confirms it is part of a specific collection. These sets were highly popular as educational and entertainment pieces for the dinner table.

Age and Value

Date: Creil-Montereau used this specific "C & M" mark most frequently between 1876 and 1895.

Collector Interest: Because this plate is part of a named series ("L'Esprit des Bêtes"), it can be slightly more desirable to collectors who specialize in that specific set. If you had the complete set of these animal satires, the value would be significantly higher than the sum of the individual plates.