Old enameled "Plaster" sign - France, circa 1900

Old enamel plaque bearing the inscription "PLÂTRE" (Plaster), from a set of enamel plaques that equipped the drawers of an old paint merchant's cabinet. Plaster was a common material in the painting and decoration trades, used notably for coatings, repairs, mouldings, and surface preparations. Paint merchants supplied pigments, colours, and various raw materials to painters, decorators, and artisans; their drawer cabinets allowed these numerous powders and preparations to be stored separately, with each compartment identified by a plaque like this one.

✦ Estimated period: Circa 1900-1920
✦ Origin: France, old paint merchant
✦ Dimensions: approx. 13 × 3 cm
✦ Material: Enamel plaque
✦ Condition: Good used condition, with small enamel chips on the edges, slight traces of oxidation, scratches and wear due to age.

Old "Plaster" enamel plaque from a paint merchant's cabinet, a beautiful trade object linked to old painting and decoration workshops.