Early 20th Century French Painted Ceramic Barbotine Jardinière Signed J. Massier

$1,600

About

This colorful, antique Majolica sculpture was created on the Riviera of France circa 1920; the composition stands on a green base, and depicts a Classic farm scene with cows pulling a cart. The hand painted ceramic jardinière features a pair of brown and white bovines joined together by a yoke, pulling a large green wagon on wheel. The piece, stamped on the bottom Jean Massier Co, Vallauris, is in excellent condition and flaunts wonderful 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, their sons Jean (1877-1937), Alfred(1870-1922) and Henri (1872-1943), 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 animals including cows, roosters 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 or a stamp from the factory. Measure: 16″ W x 7″ D x 7″ H.

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