Enameled ceramic dish with polychrome decoration representing a mallard duck in full flight over a pond, surrounded by flowers. Production of the Sèvres factory, signed Emile Richard, art nouveau period, circa 1900.
The impressive size of this dish gives it a special aura. In fact, it stands out completely from its usual primary function to become an almost pictorial work in its own right.
The technical mastery he demonstrates allows for an extremely rich polychromy with a particularly interesting play of material in the bubbles present on the celadon background of the piece. In the center, a duck is captured in full flight, captured dynamically, above a pond or lake on which white water lilies rest.
Our object owes its striking appearance to the great realism of this stylized study while being naturalistic. It is entirely in line with the aesthetic codes of the Art Nouveau period. In this way, the Sèvres factory proves that it is able to renew itself by adapting to the taste of its contemporaries. In addition to the obvious know-how meeting the requirements of this renowned manufacturing, it is interesting to note that Sèvres, in order to produce these pieces with a certain decorative character, called upon artists such as Richard but also the ceramist Félix Opta Millet (1838-1911), or even Emile Auguste Diffloth (1856-1933) for the decorations. The majority of these productions focus mainly on poetically arranged floral compositions with a few insects and butterflies. Our model is a rare example that depicts an animal. The lively expression it displays is reminiscent of the masterpiece XVIIe from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam: The Threatened Swan, painted in 1650 by Jan Asselyn. Between classical references and fine aesthetics XIXe- early 20th century, this dish achieves a perfect synthesis.
Dimensions:
- Diameter: 58.5 cm
