Imperiale by Ceralene
Excellence by St Louis
Grande Baroque Sterling by Wallace

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The impressive Imperiale pattern by Ceralene is adorned with a variety of exquisite gold-encrusted designs. Produced by Raynaud, Ceralene is “continental” china, the hardest of three primary types of china produced today. Fired at nearly 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, Ceralene’s thin body is perfectly white and translucent (before decoration) with a fine, clear “ring” when tapped. Raynaud, a manufacturer known and recognized since 1894 as a leader in applied art in tableware design, was established in Limoges, France, a city renowned for its artistry in fine porcelain. According to Ceralene company literature, Ceralene china “... is different from any other Limoges marketed today in both quality and styling. Many patterns are exact reproductions or adaptations of museum pieces of the 18th century. They constitute a truly distinctive china in the best French table tradition.” The featured Imperiale pattern is a wonderful example of Ceralene’s dedication to artistry and quality in applied ceramic arts.

St Louis Excellence is blown glass with a concave bowl and a flared top, a knobbed, multisided stem with a V notch shape, and round foot with a cut design. The water goblet in the Excellence pattern measures 10 1/4-inches tall, and its towering stature combines with an intricate crosshatched geometric design, multi-faceted polished cuts, and gold trim to make Excellence an extraordinary crystal pattern! Its maker, St Louis, is acclaimed as the oldest “cristallerie” in France – the firm was founded in 1586 in the Lorrain region, known world-wide for the magnificent quality of its crystal. In Lorrain is the town of Baccarat, home to a crystal museum and one of the most famous crystal makers in the world. This rich tradition comes to dazzling life in the beauty of St Louis Excellence crystal.

Wallace Silver Grande Baroque sterling is a pierced design, scallop-shaped, with lavish scroll, bead, and garland features on the tip of the handle and the heel of the utensil. First produced in 1941, the design was created by master silversmith William S. Warren to celebrate the art of the Baroque period, when King Louis XIV of France called for art that was more ornate and grandiose than the art of the Renaissance. Louis believed this dramatic new style in art and architecture would impress foreign visitors with the triumphant power of France. In designing Grande Baroque, silversmith Warren drew upon his knowledge of Renaissance and Baroque art to create a true masterpiece in sterling. Wallace Silver, founded in Connecticut nearly 200 years ago, has long been recognized for excellence in tableware craftsmanship – Grande Baroque is one of the company’s most-admired creations!

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