French Faience Vase with Cherub, 1700s

Details

Description

Rare early French faience vase dating to the late 17th – early 18th century, hand-painted with a charming cherub (putto) … Read more Rare early French faience vase dating to the late 17th – early 18th century, hand-painted with a charming cherub (putto) scene framed by scrolling ornamentation.
The gourd-shaped body is decorated with floral garlands and a central medallion depicting a winged putto in clouds, a popular allegorical motif during the reign of Louis XIV.
The decoration is executed in the traditional Nevers palette, with expressive hand-drawn outlines and a soft tin-glazed surface typical of early French faience.
The base bears an early workshop mark originally painted in manganese, now largely worn, with a later cobalt-blue overpainting repeating the same symbol. This later addition was made to preserve the identification of the original mark and is a well-known historical practice among collectors and dealers.
An authentic and highly collectible example of early French faience craftsmanship.
Origin: France (Nevers style faience)
Period: c.1680–1720
Material: Tin-glazed faience
Dimensions:
Height: 16.5 cm / 6.5 in
Width: 9 cm / 3.54 in
Condition: Very good antique condition for its age – no restorations, no cracks. Visible wear to the rim and natural glaze imperfections consistent with over 300 years of age. See less