Toulouse Earthenware Dish, 18th Century.

This beautiful dish is characteristic of the "à la Bérain" decorations produced in the first quarter of the 18th century. Eric Amourdedieu, in the book of the Académie de Moustiers, writes about the Bérain decorations: "The Bérain decoration, inspired by the ornamentalist Jean Ier Bérain, found applications in many areas of decorative arts from the end of the 17th century and throughout the first half of the 18th century: marquetry (tortoiseshell by André Charles Boulle), tapestry (Gobelins) ... and of course, ceramics. This majestic decoration is characterized by its symmetry around a central figure surrounded by interlacing of light lace, in the spirit of the Italian Renaissance. We sometimes find flat areas with geometric patterns (cross-hatching). The compositions are decorated with busts, caryatids inspired by Antiquities, precious canopies. It can also include animals (monkeys, birds, etc.) and grotesque or mythological characters that add a touch of fantasy. " While these decorations were very successful in Moustiers, other manufacturers such as Toulouse produced them. Hollow and oblong dish, it is decorated with ironwork that borders the contoured wing, in the center of a composition painted in blue monochrome and made up of curves, counter-curves, arabesques and foliage, there is a bust of a woman resting on a base, it is framed by two covered vases. In very good condition, it should nevertheless be noted some small enamel defects. Toulouse, mid-18th century. Dimensions 39.5 cm x 30 cm.