Maker: On the reverse of these two exquisite fruit bowls is the red decorator's backstamp number 9a of Elite Works, also known as Bawo & Dotter, one of the great Limoges firms at the turn of the last century. According to the third edition of the Collector's Encyclopedia of Limoges Porcelain by Mary Frank Gaston, this mark was in use between 1900 and 1914.

The green Elite white ware backstamp number 5 also appears, indicating that B&D produced the porcelain.

Design: The bowls are beautifully hand painted, in keeping with the exceptionally high quality that made the company's porcelain so famous, and so coveted. The pattern features a band of green chevrons encircling tiny pale pink roses. Each is trimmed with raised gold beading.

Size: The bowls are 5 1/4 inches in diameter.

Condition: One of them is in excellent condition, with no cracks, nicks, stains, repairs, crazing or utensil marks and very little wear. The other is also in excellent overall condition but has a chip on the underside - that's shown in the photo with the penny.

Please check all the photos very carefully - they are an important part of the description.