Quebec, Canada, Souvenir Ceramic Finger Loop, Lemon Serving Dish

CANADA. 
Home Decor, Decorative Plate / Serving Tray, Souvenir, c. 1950s. 

Touted on the back as being painted by hand, this special little plate is certainly transferware, yet the applied imagery is an original creation. The loop on its top makes this item a stand-out. Picking up the beautiful speckling of gold tones on the rim, it offers the server a way to lift the plate without a possibility of coming in contact with the lemon wedges, olive assortment, or display of bonbons. This type of dish is also called a “nappy” and its purpose is to keep fingers away from finger foods until one commits to taking a piece for themselves. Our nappy here features scenic views around the capital of the south-central Canadian province of Quebec. Quebec City is the country’s second largest city after Montreal, and it is noteworthy that the only other finger loop dish like this one we found in our research was one painted for Montreal. The manufacturer, ESD, worked out of Japan, supplying unique souvenir items for distribution around the world - in this instance by a company in Toronto. Their signature red and gold sticker says “An Enterprise Exclusive” and is placed on the back along with ESD’s own logo. At some point in this tourism trade piece’s travels it was decided that the name of the country of Japan should be omitted. A close look reveals that where it ought to be is unceremoniously scratched off. Otherwise, though, the images on front are well preserved. The four destination points presented there are the Chateau Frontenac, the Plains of Abraham, the sanctuary of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, and St. John’s Gate, known locally as Porte Saint-Jean. It is a famous way of entering into Old Quebec, which is the only historically fortified city remaining in North America. Its walls said ‘hands off’ to anyone approaching the urban center until intent was established. This is not unlike discouraging indiscriminate touching of food. So consider the lovely gold loop on the front of this dish as a reminder to be polite enough to keep our fingers out of each other’s stuff, and the scratch on the back as a warning of where ignoring that reminder can lead. [Condition: Used Very Good. No cracks or chips. Some imperfections in the transferware and a small scratch upper left.] (Quebec Nordiques hockey card, c. early 1980s, not included; placed for size reference only.) 

Condition: Used Very Good. 
Local / Regional Areas. 
Dimensions: 7” diameter x 1.5” high including handle / 10 oz