19th Century French Hand-Painted Barbotine Porcelain Figurine Statue

$2,900

About

Decorate a kitchen counter with this large and elegant antique figurine. Created in France circa 1880 and attributed to Massier, the large barbotine statue depict a peasant woman dressed in traditional clothing. The young girl is shown wearing a green dress, blue shawl, pink apron and red hair covering, and carries a wicker like basket on her shoulder while pulling and another basket with her left hand. The colorful figurine stands on a round pedestal decorated with gold and green embellishments. The tall decorative piece is extremely detailed and is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use and adorns bright and rich colors. 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: 17″ W x 19″ D x 42″ H.

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