Longwy Factory. Large Paul Mignon Dish

Paul Mignon (1930 - 2012) entered the Longwy Faïencerie as an apprentice decorator in 1945. He was only 15 years old. Two years later he won first place in the National Apprentice Decorator Competition. Given this success, the factory entrusted him with new responsibilities. In 1947, at the age of 17, he signed his first limited series creations. However, he continued to anonymously produce numerous pieces for tableware and advertising within the factory. He decorated both enamels and earthenware. In 1952 he was appointed Curator of the Private Museum of Earthenware. In 1965 he was awarded Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF). The large dish that we are presenting belongs to one of the limited series mentioned above. It bears the title of "Montgolfière" and the number 16 of a probable series of 150 units. The drawing is very fine and the composition of the scene very balanced. The hot air balloon stands out against an immaculate sky. The medium shot is composed of a curtain of trees in shades of gray while in the foreground three characters have clothes that match the colors present on the hot air balloon. The place could be the Jardins de la Folie Titon, owned by Mr. Réveillon at the time of the Montgolfier brothers' first experiments. The back of the plate has all the information necessary for its identification: name of the decoration, number of the piece in the limited edition series, stamp of the Atelier d'Art of the Longwy factory with the holly leaf coat of arms and the signature of Paul Mignon. The large plate, 36.5 cm in diameter, has two holes for hanging. It is ready to hang in your home!