Bidspirit auction | Trio of 19th C. Napoleon

Trio of 19th C. Napoleon Keramis Pottery Plates - Trio of fine antique ceramic cabinet plates originate from the famed Keramis pottery in Boch Frères (B.F.) located in La Louvière, Belgium, dating to the 19th century. Executed in a striking monochrome black transferware style, each piece is part of a collectible series dedicated to the military campaigns and major battles of Napoleon, richly detailed with historical battle scenes bordered by intricate neoclassical scrollwork and imperial 'N' cyphers surmounted by crowns. The set includes depictions titled ”Napoléon haranguant les troupes bavaroises et wurtembergeoises,” ”Bataille de Montereau,” and ”Bonaparte à Arcole.” Historical Context of the Series: This series of commemorative transferware plates draws directly upon the sprawling romanticism and nationalistic reverence for the First French Empire, celebrating key milestones, engagements, and turning points from the Napoleonic Wars. European potteries—particularly Belgian and French manufacturers capitalizing on the mid-to-late 19th-century revival of Bonapartism—produced commemorative tableware featuring detailed historical vignettes adapted from popular academic paintings and contemporary battle accounts. The motifs prominently feature the imperial crowned 'N' cipher surrounded by laurel wreaths, military standards, and trophies, serving as both functional tableware and collectible cabinet displays designed for patriotic display. There are no visible structural cracks across any of the plates. They display scattered surface scratches and expected minor crazing to the glaze, which is most noticeable on the reverse of the Napoleon and Württemberg pieces. H 1”, W 9.25”, D 9.25”. Please see photos for condition.