Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat Sculptures

Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat's signature ruby-cranberry-crimson glaze is at the forefront of this exciting composition, an arresting design featuring strong c...

French Art Nouveau Inkwell by Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat, France, circa 1890. A rare and exquisite Art Nouveau inkwell by renowned French ceramist Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat (1844–1910). This finely crafted piece showcases Dalpayrat’s signature red copper-glazed stoneware, especially rich and luminous near the base. Elegantly mounted in pewter, the design exemplifies the organic flow and refined detail of the Art Nouveau period. Dimensions: Height: 3.54 in. (9 cm) Diameter: 5.12 in. (13 cm) Materials: Stoneware with pewter mount Condition: Excellent+++++, museum-quality preservation Markings: Incised signature "Dalpayrat 1500" under the base (see photo) This inkwell is a collectible example of French ceramic art at the turn of the century—perfect for collectors of Art Nouveau, 19th-century French ceramics, or the works of Dalpayrat. Adrien Dalpayrat (1844–1910): A Pioneer of French Ceramic Innovation Adrien Dalpayrat was a French ceramicist and researcher who played a key role in the revival of stoneware at the end of the 19th century. Born in 1844 in Limoges, Dalpayrat studied drawing and porcelain painting in his hometown before beginning his professional career at the Jules Vieillard faience factory in Bordeaux. There, he met his wife, Marie Tallerie, with whom he had two sons—Albert and Adolphe—who would later become his primary collaborators. Throughout his early career, Dalpayrat worked for several major ceramic manufacturers, including Ashwin (Valentine), Fouquet (Toulouse), François Blanc (Monaco), and Léon Sazerat (Limoges). In 1889, seeking greater independence, he moved to the Paris region and established his own studio in Bourg-la-Reine. Collaborations and Artistic Evolution Dalpayrat’s creative vision expanded through his collaboration with sculptor Alphonse Voisin-Delacroix. Together, they explored neo-Gothic and Palissy-inspired motifs, creating a remarkable ceramic bestiary. Following Voisin-Delacroix’s death in 1893, Dalpayrat partnered with Adèle Lesbros, which marked a shift in his work toward simpler, more refined vase forms influenced by Japonism. Japanese art had been introduced to France during the 1867 Universal Exhibition, but it wasn’t until the 1878 Exhibition, particularly through the ceremonial stoneware used in the Japanese tea ceremony, that Japonism truly captivated French artists. This influence led Dalpayrat to create vessels with organic, vegetal, and animal-inspired forms. Technical Mastery: The Secrets of Copper Red Among all the ceramists of his time who sought to replicate the elusive Chinese “sang de boeuf” (oxblood) glaze, Adrien Dalpayrat was arguably the most successful. He didn’t simply reproduce the legendary copper red—he transformed it. By manipulating glaze thickness, firing temperature, atmosphere, and copper oxide content, he developed a unique palette of flamed and mottled red glazes that became his signature: the renowned Dalpayrat red. He further enriched his pieces by introducing streaks and inclusions of turquoise, blue, green, and yellow—freeing the red glaze from monochromy and turning it into an expressive, living surface. His work pushed stoneware beyond function into expressive art, merging form and glaze in bold, sculptural harmony. Beyond Ceramics: Bronze Mounts and Architectural Works Dalpayrat also collaborated with renowned jewelers such as Ernest Cardeilhac and Keller to produce pieces mounted in gilt bronze, blending ceramics with decorative arts at the highest level. In an effort to make his work more accessible, he opened a second faience workshop focused on simpler, more affordable pieces inspired by Nevers and Rouen ware. However, this venture faced financial difficulties and closed by 1900. The main family studio followed in 1906 as the popularity of Art Nouveau declined. Dalpayrat then returned to Limoges, devoting his final years to painting and drawing until his death in 1910. Legacy and Recognition Despite financial struggles during his lifetime, Dalpayrat’s ceramics were widely acclaimed at major international exhibitions: Bronze medal, World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago (1893) Silver medal, Antwerp International Exhibition (1894) Gold medal, Exposition Universelle, Paris (1900) Today, his work is part of prestigious museum collections. In 2020, the Petit Palais in Paris acquired a large bird motif vase created in collaboration with Voisin-Delacroix, now on view in Room...

A fine antique German porcelain figurine. By the Royal Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. Depicting the Advocato with Mask. Model Number 64536. Depicting a masked character in a yell...

A finely painted and gilt porcelain figure of the Commedia dell'Arte character, Scaramuz. By Nymphenburg. His coat in brown/grey, black, and white. His cloak, pants, and hat in a...

A stylish Murano commedia dell'arte clown style art glass figure designed by Italian Maestro glassmaker Franco Toffolo and dating from around 1960. Toff...

Beautiful example of Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat (1844-1910)’s celebrated ceramics and innovative superb sang-de-boeuf (oxblood) glaze or “Dalpayrat Red”. One of the most critically acc...

This is a very unusual piece from the Early 20th Century Art Nouveau period. A Kalaidescope in full working order . Hand crafted from Teak wood and varnished. Hand painted design of ...

A 19th century Meissen Porcelain Group of Commedia Dell"arte, harlequin and columbine dancing. This example depicts Harlequin dancing...

Beautiful pair of vintage Art Noeveau bookends by Verona. This set in beautifully aged cast iron reminiscence of the art noeveau era with its use of arches and curved forms. In this ...

A stunning antique bust from the Art Nouveau period. We think this is French and dates from around the 1890-1900 period. It depicts a young girl in a shawl, it is signed and numbe...

A two tiered "Colocynth" ceramic vase by Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat featuring his celebrated, earthen tone glazes in hues of turquoise, burgundy, moss an...

A fine painted and gilt porcelain figure of the commedia dell'arte character, Pierrot. By Nymphenburg. Pierrot depicted with his head to the side, highlighted in blue, black & go...