Each of these pretty gilt-edged porcelain plates are titled "Métiers du Vieux Paris," which is French for "Trades of Old Paris." On the pure white background of the porcelain, there is a transfer of a Parisian in their working clothes with the tools of their trade. Pictured are the following:

Chiffonnier---The ragpicker, carrying his woven straw pack of rags on his back and using his hooked stick to gather more. 

Marchand de Seaux Ferres---The iron buckets merchant, carrying three of his handmade buckets for sale.

Marchande de Poires Cuites---The cooked pears seller, this one a pretty woman, offering one of her fruits on a wooden spoon.

Marchand de Sébiles---Although his title means "Bowl Seller," it seems he also sells spoons, boxes, etc. He has one of his wooden bowls in his left hand.

These dished cheese plates (or dessert plates) measure 8 inches in diameter, stand about 1 inch high and each weighs 9 ounces. They were made by Bareuther Porcelain in Waldsassen, Bavaria, and are marked with that information in green on the underside of the plates. That crowned mark was used from 1970 to 1993; the company closed in 1994. The plates date from the late 1980's.

All four plates are in excellent condition; there are no crazing or utensil marks and the gilded edges are intact. It's probable they were only displayed and not used. They do make a lovely display on the plate rail, shelf or wall and they can also serve a slice of Black Forest cake.

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