The Piece

A charming pair of vintage French porcelain collector plates by Limoges-Turgot, featuring the sentimental holiday illustration “Cécile et Raoul” by artist Paul Durand. Issued as part of the Les Enfants de Durand series, these decorative plates capture two children beside a Christmas tree, holding gifts and a doll in a soft, nostalgic palette of winter blue, evergreen, ivory, and warm red.

Each plate is marked on the reverse as a limited edition permanently closed in 1980, with individual edition numbers and accompanying certificates of origin. Because apparently even porcelain children needed paperwork, but in this case, the documentation actually helps.

These plates are ideal for holiday display, French porcelain collectors, Limoges enthusiasts, or anyone curating a layered vintage Christmas interior with a softer European sensibility.

Design & Construction

Each plate is crafted in white porcelain with a glossy glazed finish and a printed illustration signed Paul Durand on the front. The artwork depicts Cécile and Raoul standing beside a decorated Christmas tree, surrounded by wrapped gifts, candles, ornaments, and the sentimental innocence typical of late 20th-century European collector plate design.

The reverse of each plate includes printed French text, the title Cécile et Raoul, the series name Les Enfants de Durand, and the mark for Manufacture Limoges-Turgot, France. The red edition stamp identifies each plate as part of a limited run issued under certificate and permanently closed in 1980.

The pair includes two distinct numbered examples: AT 687 and AT 669.

History & Provenance

Limoges porcelain has long been associated with fine French decorative ceramics, prized for its refined white body, crisp decoration, and collectible appeal. These plates belong to the collector plate tradition popular throughout the 1970s and 1980s, when decorative porcelain series were often issued in limited editions with certificates of origin.

This pair comes from Les Enfants de Durand, a sentimental series centered around childhood imagery. The plate title, Cécile et Raoul, appears on both the reverse and the accompanying certificate, which identifies it as the fourth plate in the collection.

Dated by inscription to 1980, these are vintage rather than antique, but they carry strong decorative value as French holiday porcelain with original certificate documentation.

Why This Belongs in Your Home

This pair brings a softer, nostalgic note to holiday styling without feeling overly commercial or mass-produced. The colors are gentle and refined, with just enough Christmas charm to feel seasonal while still working within a collected, traditional interior.

Displayed on a mantel, plate rack, hutch, gallery wall, or layered into a holiday tablescape, the plates add that old-world Christmas feeling people are constantly trying to recreate with new décor. Naturally, the original does it better. The French porcelain, documented limited-edition status, and sweet illustration make this pair especially well suited for collectors, cottage interiors, traditional homes, and curated vintage holiday displays.

Product Details

Condition Notes

Both plates appear to be in good vintage condition with bright, intact front illustrations and clearly visible reverse markings. The certificates are included and show expected age-related paper wear. Light surface wear, minor glaze scuffs, or small signs of handling may be present, consistent with age and prior display. No major cracks or large chips are visible from the provided photos.