Abstract: In a matrix display device using the bistability effect of cholesteric liquid crystals, two supporting plates are provided with first and second pluralities of ridges. The electrodes of the liquid crystal extend across the second ridges onto the first ridges on which a separation strip separates the electrodes from one another. Liquid crystal orienting layers are provided over the entire surface of the supporting plate. The second ridges lying between the first ridges divide each picture element of the display into many sub-elements. Accordingly, the formation of focal-conical texture because of surface inhomogenities in the picture element display will be restricted to a single sub-element as a result of the homeotropic-nematic texture at the edges of the sub-element.