Auxerre earthenware plate hot air balloon period 19th Old Auxerre earthenware plate representing a hot air balloon nicely decorated with colorful mosaics. On the basket, a man is waving. On both sides of the hot air balloon, it says: Sic itur ad astra Sic itur ad astra is a Latin phrase meaning "This is how one rises towards the stars" or "This is how one reaches the stars". This is a quote from Virgil appearing in line 641 of song IX of the Aeneid. This phrase has often been taken as a motto: "Sic itur ad astra" is the motto given by Louis XVI in 1783 to the Montgolfier family, that of the two Montgolfier brothers who gave their name to the hot air balloon; The outline of the plate is decorated with a black border and flowers alternating 2 yellow pompoms and 3 blue pompoms and wheel. Plate in good condition with small chip and crack. Dimension: 23cm Height: 3cm Keyword: Nevers plate, revolutionary earthenware