Stirrup Cup in the Form of a Fish

This rare and charming pair of 18th-century French creamware lions was made circa 1790. Each lion reclines atop a tall rectangular base decorated with rich cobalt-blue swags, bright yellow tassels, and vivid green trim. The forms are bold and expressive. The lions' open mouths are painted in soft pink, and their manes are rendered in vibrant yellow and lined with dark brown, lending them an animated, almost theatrical presence. The lions rest on what appear to be stylized, draped cushions, adding a sense of comfort and reality. Their wide-eyed expressions and exaggerated features give the pair a whimsical character that blends elegance with humor—a hallmark of late 18th-century French design. Unmarked but unmistakably French in style, these figures make a striking decorative statement. Whether placed on a mantel or console, they command attention and offer a playful counterpoint to more serious classical forms. Dimensions: 6.5 inches tall x 6.75 inches long x 4.5 inches wide Condition: Excellent Price: $2,300 Decoration: Painted in yellow, cobalt, green, pink, and brown with molded drapery and tassel detail Material: Creamware pottery Style: French Neoclassical with Folk Art elements Origin: France Date: Circa 1790 Key Features - Rare pair of large 18th-century creamware lion figures - Expressive hand-painted decoration with bold color contrasts - Tall bases decorated with molded and painted swags and tassels - French origin, circa 1790 - Whimsical and animated expressions add charm and visual interest Background of creamware Creamware is the name given to a type of earthenware pottery initially made from white clays from Dorset and Devonshire combined with an amount of calcined flint. Creamware was first produced in England sometime before 1740. Foremost among the pioneers of creamware in the Staffordshire Potteries was Thomas Whieldon. The young Josiah Wedgwood partnered with Thomas Whieldon from 1754 to 1759. When Wedgwood left to set up his own business, he immediately directed his efforts to developing creamware. Around the same time, in the mid-18th century, French potters developed their creamware known in France as "Faience Fine...

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