Rare Antique Lamolle House, San Jose Porcelain Footed Serving Bowl 9-3/4"

Quite a rare porcelain serving bowl acquired from a collection from the Lamolle House in San Jose, California. The images show a postcard of the old Lamolle, not included.

Some history: The Lamolle House and restaurant was located at the corner of San Pedro and Santa Clara streets in San Jose, California. Opened in 1872 by proprietors Madame Veuve Lamolle and Emile J. Lamolle, the house originally had 27 sleeping rooms. The restaurant served gourmet French cuisine touted as "second to none in the state or the Pacific Coast" and was managed by Chef de Cuisine Alexis Gaston – formerly of Delmonico's in New York.

By June 1906, the Lamolle House was under the proprietorship of Jules Vigouroux in partnership with Louis Coutard and Camille Mailhebuau (famed proprietors of other San Francisco French restaurants, including Frank's Rotisserie Restaurant and Bergez-Franks Old Poodle Dog). Capitalizing on the popular "horseless carriage," the entrepreneurial trio recognized a need for a "hostelry on the main highway between San Francisco and Los Angeles" – and to fulfill this need – chose the Lamolle House in San Jose.

In 1917, the Lamolle House became the target of the evangelistic Law Enforcement League Campaign, when prominent league member and former State Senator Edwin E. Grant denounced it as being one of San Jose's "houses of ill-repute" with "women of the underworld." It closed soon thereafter, only to be resurrected as the "Growers Hotel" in 1922.

This very special early bowl features the Lamolle House name and logo in color with a bird and frog. Very French.

It measures 9-3/4" in diameter and 4" tall. Excellent condition with no chips or cracks.

A very special piece from a well known and famous establishment!