Pair 19th C. French Nevers Faience Ewers Depicting Henri IV and Marie de Medici

$2,800

About

This distinguished pair of antique French faience ewers dates to the mid-19th century, circa 1850, and was produced in the tradition of the renowned faience factories of Nevers, one of France’s most important historic centers of tin-glazed earthenware production. Nevers workshops were celebrated from the 17th century onward for their richly painted wares, and during the 19th century experienced a revival that favored historicist themes inspired by royal, courtly, and chivalric imagery. Each ewer is finely hand-painted on a luminous white tin-glazed ground with dense scrolling green foliate rinceaux, accented by polychrome floral motifs in blue, ochre, and iron red, along with delicate insect details characteristic of Nevers revival decoration. The bodies are centered with figural equestrian scenes depicting Henri IV and Marie de’ Medici, rendered as romanticized historical figures in the decorative tradition rather than strict portraiture. Henri IV appears as the mounted cavalier, while Marie de’ Medici is shown as the elegant lady rider, together evoking the royal nostalgia and courtly symbolism favored by Nevers decorators of the period. Each vessel is further enriched with sculptural applied loop handles highlighted in blue and ochre glazes, demonstrating skilled hand-modeling and confident painterly execution. The antique tin-glazed surfaces display light craquelure and gentle wear consistent with age and use. Hand-painted workshop marks and a pattern number appear to the undersides, typical of mid-19th century Nevers faience factory production. The antique tin-glazed surfaces display light craquelure and minor wear, and the pair is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use. Decorative in nature, these impressive Nevers ewers were intended for display and make a commanding statement when presented as a pair on a console, mantel, or in a vitrine. Dimensions: 9″ Dia. x 17.5″H

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