PARIS

Lot 171
Go to lot
Estimation :
1000 - 1500 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 1 224EUR
PARIS
Large porcelain cup decorated in polychrome on one side of the goddess of Reason holding a Phrygian cap and a lictor bundle in a medallion on a blue background framed by garlands of roses and on the other side of an inscription "That my fate is worthy of envy of the rich formerly I satisfied the vanity henceforth with you I will serve the freedom when you drink to the Fatherland" in a rectangle resting on triangles. Garlands of laurel at the neck attached by a blue, white, red ribbon. Mark on the reverse in red "Pid..x" for Protais Pidoux. Late 18th century, Revolutionary period (wear to the decoration) H: 11.5 cm Provenance: Drouot auction sale, Paris, May 21, 1999 According to Anne-Marie Epple, "It is quite tempting to attribute this piece of great curiosity to Protais Pidoux, a great ceramist who died in 1790 in Nevers. Although he is reputed to have ceased his activity in the last years of his life, this unusual shape in ceramics (but which nevertheless exists in Nevers earthenware) can be compared to a goblet, a model of which with a "petit feu" decoration is illustrated in "La faïence de Meillonnas 1760-1845", catalogue of the exhibition of the Musée de Brou, written by Mr. Rosen. This piece was attributed to Lunéville, but its decoration is probably by Protais Pidoux. Mrs Epple, author of "Un Maître Peintre en Faïence au 18e siècle, Protais Pidoux", identifies the signature and its characteristic "P" as the hand of Protais Pidoux. She suggests that this kettledrum, a sort of patriotic testament, was designed to be given to a brother mason, which would explain the incomplete signature with the dots. The text, on the other hand, is entirely consistent with the status of a man who worked all his life to satisfy the "privileges" and who freed himself from them at the end of his life. Most likely he had a "piece en blanc" brought in probably from Limoges, not far from Nevers, and then decorated it afterwards "en chambre"."
My orders
Sale information
Sales conditions
Return to catalogue