Some objects do more than decorate a table. They preserve history. That thought came to mind during a visit to the Manila showroom of Maison de Rivoli at The Peninsula Manila. Founded by Paris-based collector, historian, and Rivoli Fine Art gallerist Jeffrey Cadayong, Maison de Rivoli is a Franco-Filipino luxury house dedicated to celebrating cultural heritage through craftsmanship.
Inspired by the meeting of Parisian elegance and Filipino creativity, its collections transform stories from the past into objects meant to be lived with, shared, and passed on.
The showroom itself offers a glimpse into that vision. Alongside the porcelain collection are remarkable pieces of Philippine history, including an original edition of Giacomo Gastaldi’s Terza Tavola dell’Asia, a 16th-century map of Southeast Asia and the Far East from 1568, which contains one of the earliest mentions of the archipelago as “Filipina.”
READ: How a florist keeps a hotel in full bloom
Also on display is the Infant Jesus of Mechelen, a 16th-century wooden devotional figure described as the “cousin” of the Santo Niño of Cebu. Together, these treasures reflect centuries of cultural exchange and remind visitors that collecting is not merely about acquiring beautiful objects but about carrying stories forward.
Welcoming us into the world of Maison de Rivoli was Jade Leandris, the brand’s specialist. Coincidentally, she hails from Limoges, France—the historic city synonymous with some of the world’s finest porcelain. Her presence felt quietly symbolic of the collaboration at the heart of the collection, a meeting of French craftsmanship and Filipino heritage.
Philippine history, reimagined for the contemporary table
That meeting finds its most elegant expression in Flora de Filipinas. Inspired by the monumental botanical encyclopedia authored by Spanish Augustinian friar Fr. Manuel Blanco and first published in 1837, the collection draws from a work that documents more than 1,000 plant species across the Philippine archipelago.
The book remains one of the country’s most significant records of its botanical history, uniting scientific observation with finely detailed illustrations by Filipino and Spanish artists, including Félix Resurrección Hidalgo and Lorenzo Guerrero.
Reimagined in porcelain, these works extend beyond archival beauty, honoring both the biodiversity they depict and the artistic legacy that shaped them. Visitors to the showroom can also view original prints from the historic publication, offering a rare opportunity to appreciate the artistry and detail that inspired the collection.
But rather than leaving these illustrations confined to the pages of a rare book, Maison de Rivoli has reimagined them for the contemporary table.
“We wanted to bring Philippine botanical heritage into a contemporary luxury expression,” Leandris explains. “Flora de Filipinas celebrates the country’s remarkable biodiversity, and porcelain allowed us to reinterpret that story in a timeless and tactile way, transforming heritage into a collectible object.”
Bringing together Filipino heritage and French craftsmanship
The collection features eight designs inspired by plants that remain familiar to many Filipinos today: coconut, mango, sampaguita, gumamela, lotus, mountain banana, ipil-ipil, and makahiya. The mango, the Philippines’ national fruit, and the sampaguita, the national flower, are symbols that have long been woven into the country’s cultural identity.
Set against an elegant imperial blue ground accented with 24-carat gold, the pieces are framed by the sun and stars—subtle references to heritage, nationhood, and hope.
Beyond plates, Maison de Rivoli also presents a vide-poche, French for “empty pockets,” a decorative catch-all tray designed to hold everyday essentials such as keys, coins, jewelry, or a phone. Inspired by Philippine flora and finished in imperial blue with 24-carat gold accents, it elevates an everyday ritual, bringing both beauty and order to daily life.
Crafted in Limoges, France, by Royal Limoges—the oldest existing porcelain manufacturer in France—the collection brings together Philippine botanical heritage and more than two centuries of French craftsmanship. Founded in 1797, Royal Limoges has supplied prestigious institutions, luxury houses, and royal households for generations.
Each botanical illustration is accompanied by its Latin name, preserving the scientific spirit of the original publication while introducing Philippine flora to a global audience. Every piece is part of a limited edition of 200 and bears its own serial number, while an accompanying certificate identifies the plant’s Filipino and English names.
Presented in beautifully designed keepsake boxes, the collection is thoughtfully created for collecting, gifting, and future generations to enjoy.
READ: Design consultant Carol Karthe and her house that hosts
Contemporary pieces for the table
Extending its art de la table philosophy, Maison de Rivoli also offers complementary pieces such as crystal glassware for water and wine, along with bespoke cutlery available through special order. These elements complete the table setting, a reminder that hospitality is shaped not only by what is served but also by the world created around it.
Together, these details merge French savoir-faire with Filipino inspiration, resulting in a refined expression of contemporary table culture—one that feels as relevant today as it is rooted in history.
Beyond its craftsmanship, the collection reflects a quieter shift in how younger generations engage with tradition. There is a renewed appreciation for intention and detail, where setting a table becomes more than a functional act—it becomes an expression of care, an invitation to slow down, and a way to elevate everyday moments into something meaningful.
A collection that feels deeply personal
As I explored the collection, many of the plants felt surprisingly familiar. Growing up with a mother who possessed a remarkable green thumb, I recognized several of the species depicted on the porcelain. They were plants I had seen in our garden, along neighborhood pathways, and in countless Filipino homes—and now, in a different way, they are being rediscovered by a new generation, including my own children.
That realization made the collection feel deeply personal. What appears at first to be beautiful tableware is also a reminder of the landscapes, traditions, and everyday beauty that shape our identity. The coconut, sampaguita, mango, and gumamela are more than botanical subjects—they are part of our shared memory as Filipinos.
In a world increasingly drawn to fast trends and disposable objects, Maison de Rivoli offers something more enduring. Through Flora de Filipinas, a treasured chapter of Philippine heritage finds new life at the table—where stories are shared, traditions are passed on, and beauty becomes part of everyday living.
To discover the collection and view original Flora de Filipinas prints, visit Maison de Rivoli, Unit 262, 2/F The Peninsula Manila. Visits are by appointment. For inquiries, contact +63 9661488703 or follow @floradefilipinasbymaisonrivoli on Instagram and Facebook
A brief history of porcelain
Often called “china,” porcelain is a special kind of ceramic made from fine clay that is fired in a high-temperature oven called a kiln. The intense heat transforms the clay into a material that is strong, smooth, and sometimes almost glowing when light passes through it.
It first began in China over a thousand years ago, where the secret of making it was carefully protected like a treasure. When it finally reached Europe through trading ships, people were amazed by its beauty and called it “white gold.” Only kings, queens, and the very wealthy could afford it.
Much later, France discovered its own source of special clay near Limoges and began making porcelain, too. This turned Limoges into one of the most important places in the world for fine porcelain, a tradition still carried on today by houses like Royal Limoges.
