19th Century French Faience Barbotine Jardiniere with Bird and Floral Motifs

$1,500

About

This beautiful and colorful Majolica cache pot was crafted in France, circa 1880. A Classic example of French barbotine artistry in the manner or Massier, the sculptural porcelain piece is oval in shape; it stands on tree branch shaped feet, and feature high relief decor of eight birds figures resting on the rim, and embellished with floral and green leaf motifs throughout. The flower pot is in excellent condition with soft pastel, realistic hand painted colors in the blue, yellow, pink and brown palette, on a pale green background. The Massier family of Vallauris is recognized for three members producing Majolica in the second half of the 19th century. In 1860, brothers Delphin (1836-1907) and Clement (1844-1917) Massier were joined by Cousin Jerome Massier (1850-1916) and began producing a style of ceramic bridging between traditional Victorian Majolica and Art Nouveau pottery. The Massiers mastered the copper oxide flambé technique for glazing, thereby introducing an intensely vibrant color palette including red, green and blue hues not previously seen with English Majolica. Important in the Massier production were a series of large naturalistic modeled figural roosters, hens and other birds. Vases and wall pockets styled as orchids, intensely colored irises and sunflowers are among the most common Massier styles. A variety of humorous pieces bearing frogs and songbirds are popular among collectors. Most Massier Majolica bears an ink signature with both the first and last name of the producer and often includes ‘Vallauris’ along with other letters and symbols. Measures: 18.5″W x 9″D x 10″H.

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