Léon Castel Grande Coupe Aux Dauphins Circa XIX-xxth

Important glazed ceramic cup with metallic reflection from the end of the XIXth-beginning of the XXth century signed by the seal of the Mont-Chevallier factory in Cannes by Léon Castel depicting an allegorical composition depicting two ancient dolphins carrying a large bowl in the shape of a shell, the 'assembly resting on an oblong base with molded border. Signature stamp located in the hollow under the base, good condition, note some chips on the end of the tail of cetaceans. Dimensions: 33 cm long X 23 cm wide X 18 cm high. THE CHAIN OF MONT-CHEVALIER It was located in the buildings forming part of the old castle of Suquet and belonging to the Hibert family old family of Cannes. This factory was created by Léon Castel in 1877 who later joined forces with Paul Lambert, a ceramist. They make decorative pieces and utility objects in slip. They use the decoration of palm trees and agaves in shadow, flamed sandstone, metallic reflections on an ocher, sometimes blue or pink background. In 1890, Pierre Rizzo left the workshop of Clément Massier in Vallauris and came to work as a potter-chef with Castel and Lambert. Ten years later, the Mont-Chevalier artistic pottery factory obtained a bronze medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris, followed by a silver medal in Lyon. Léon Castel will cede the business to his son, Paul Lambert and François Rezzo. The pottery closed its doors in 1931, there remain the remains of the location of an oven in the room adjoining the Sainte-Anne chapel, an integral part of the La Castre museum.