Antique Blue & White Shell Dish – Gzhel Style Floral Motif with Gilt Butterfly (Russia/European Export), c. 1980 🦋💙✨

This is a delicate and finely made porcelain dish that captures the elegant artistry of traditional blue and white painting. The piece is sculpted in a graceful scalloped shell form, instantly establishing it as a strong decorative accent.

The decoration is defined by a bold, central blue floral motif and a highly ornamental gilded butterfly handle. Its high-quality porcelain and hand-painted style—reminiscent of the Russian Gzhel tradition—confirm it as a desirable piece of European export art.

2. About the Decorative Dish 📖✍️✨

This decorative dish serves as a beautiful and versatile object, perfect for use as a trinket dish, vanity tray, or soap dish. The form is a scalloped shell with radial molded ridges that emphasize the hand-painted design.

The main artistry is the central blue rose motif, executed in varying shades of cobalt blue on a pristine white ground. The sculpted butterfly at the top edge is accented with gold gilding. This combination of form and material elevates the piece into a luxurious decorative item.

3. About the Maker: Gzhel or European Export ✍️🏛️

While the primary factory mark is not legible in the image, the stylized blue and white painting strongly suggests a piece in the manner of Gzhel porcelain. The Gzhel style, which originated in Russia, is celebrated for its use of cobalt blue on white porcelain, often featuring bold floral patterns.

The faint handwritten signature and inscription on the back (visible in the photo) indicate the piece may have been hand-painted in a European studio. Pieces of this style were widely popular throughout the late 20th century, produced by various manufacturers who adhered to this classic color palette. The craftsmanship is in the meticulous detail of the blue shading and the heavy application of the gold trim.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

This dish was likely produced in the late 20th century (c. 1980s). The Gzhel blue-and-white style experienced immense international popularity during this period, with pieces being highly sought after as European collectibles.

The design reflects a trend in decorative items that were inspired by traditional folk art but executed in refined porcelain. The piece's theme—the combination of natural forms (shell, butterfly, flower)—was a consistent element in international giftware. This dish represents a period where high-quality European-style porcelain was widely exported, making it a staple of elegant home décor.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This dish will appeal to a sophisticated collector with an interest in decorative blue and white ceramics. The ideal buyer is a Gzhel collector, a Chinoiserie enthusiast (as the color scheme is related), or a person curating a vanity or guest bathroom display.

The piece’s clean lines and high aesthetic appeal make it a desirable item for collectors who seek elegant, yet functional decorative accents. The gilt butterfly handle makes it a particularly strong piece for those who collect butterfly-themed porcelain.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This dish is valuable for its high-quality porcelain body, its intricate hand-painted style, and its pristine condition. The ornamental gilt butterfly is a key feature that increases its decorative value.

The item is approximately 35 to 45 years old. Its market value is sustained by the popularity of the blue and white color scheme and the fact that its fragile gilded features and delicate form are completely intact.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This porcelain dish is in excellent, well-preserved condition.

• Structural Integrity: The scalloped rim is free of chips, cracks, or repairs.

• Artistry: The blue underglaze painting is vibrant, and the gold trim is largely intact.

• Handle: The sculpted butterfly handle is firmly attached and its gold detailing is bright.

• Glaze: The white glaze is clean, bright, and lustrous.

• Wall Mounting: The base includes two original molded holes (visible in the photo), confirming it can be used as a wall plaque.

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Gzhel Technique: The artistry employs the Gzhel style, which traditionally uses only cobalt blue and often features broad brushstrokes and shading, creating a distinctive look.

• The Butterfly Motif: The butterfly is an ancient symbol of rebirth and transformation in many cultures, often signifying luck or change.

• The Scallop Form: The scalloped shell shape is a classic form in ceramics, historically used for elegant dishes and soap dishes since the 18th century.

• Versatile Use: The presence of two holes on the back indicates the dish was designed to be used either as a flat serving piece or as a wall-hanging decorative plaque.

9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Item Name: Scalloped Shell Dish with Butterfly Handle

• Maker/Studio: Unknown (Gzhel Style)

• Period: Vintage (c. 1980s)

• Medium/Material: Hand-Painted Porcelain (Cobalt Blue Underglaze) with Gold Gilt

• Decoration: Central Blue Rose, Sculpted Butterfly Handle

• Origin: Europe/Russia (Style)

• Approximate Dimensions: 5.5 inches (Estimated from visual scale)

• Marking Transcription (Verbatim from Base): F. T [Script Monogram] / РОС. ЭРМЕЛЬМАНШ / MADE IN CHINA (Small circular red stamp) (Note: The blue script and mark, which strongly resembles Gzhel style, is over a red "Made in China" stamp. The Russian text likely refers to the distributing company or decorating studio).