Louis XVI is an ornately embossed shape with tusk-like handles and finials. Authors Jo Cunningham and Darlene Nossaman note in their book, Homer Laughlin Guide to Shapes and Patterns, that Louis XVI was the first dinnerware line to carry the eagle over lion backstamp.
Introduced in 1890, the line must not have been made for very long since it is rather hard to find today.
The following comes from the Crockery and Glass Journal, June 5, 1890, and gives more information on the line:
Homer Laughlin has his new dinner service now in the decorated warehouse, ready for the market, in some of the handsomest decorations I have ever seen put on ceramic products. It has been named 'Louis XVI', and I think very appropriately. The entire service carries raised clay scroll lines... Mr. Laughlin has had carved out five new designs in ornamentation for the 'Louis XVI' which are entirely new in conception and execution -- decoration Mr. Laughlin has applied to this fine grade of stone porcelain is a combination of effective ground shadows and panels traced in geometrical outlines and graceful curves in and around the raised clay treatment secured in modeling,
These ground shadow colorings are new art effects in ceramic burning, and one is a delicate 'cafe au lait', while another is a light tinted ivory shading. The modeling of the handles is a treatment of a curled tusk, over which is a color wash of burnt ivory. The gilding is an embellishment introduced specially to emphasize the modeling and show out its best beauty in graceful flowing curves.
Mr. Laughlin has made some special pieces in this elegant 'Louis XVI' style not a part of the regular dinner set, but which go with it as companion pieces. These new novelties in ceramic art are chocolate pots, jugs and orange bowls. The decorations on these special pieces are weird yet beautiful effects secured through mat colorings of odd new tines on mat grounds or under shadows. All of the ornamentation is a new and ingenious application of decoration that ceramic wares have not hitherto been though susceptible of.
Taken all in contemplation, Mr. Laughlin has something new and wonderfully striking to surprise the American people with, illustrating the possibilities of American materials, American skill and workmanship and American art as applied to pottery, and I predict he will find the trade willing to take all he can produce.
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