French Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

This colorful, antique Majolica sculpture composition depicts a Classic farm scene with cows pulling a cart. Created in France circa 1890, the ceramic jardinière features a pair of bovines joined together by a yoke, pulling a large wagon on wheel. The unique planter is well decorated with a green base and the cows are beautifully hand painted with the same watercolor-like technique. The piece, stamped on the bottom MCM, Golfe Juan, is in excellent condition and flaunts a palette of rich colors. The Massier family of Vallauris is recognized for three members producing Majolica in the second half of the 19th century. In 1860, brothers Delphin (1836-1907) and Clement (1844-1917) Massier were joined by Cousin Jerome Massier (1850-1916) and began producing a style of ceramic bridging between traditional Victorian Majolica and Art Nouveau pottery. The Massiers mastered the copper oxide flambé technique for glazing, thereby introducing an intensely vibrant color palette including red, green and blue hues not previously seen with English Majolica. Important in the Massier production were a series of large naturalistic modeled figural animals including cows, roosters and other birds. Vases and wall pockets styled as orchids, intensely colored irises and sunflowers are among the most common Massier styles. A variety of humorous pieces bearing frogs and songbirds are popular among collectors. Most Massier Majolica bears...

French neoclassical Majolica urn on stand by Clement Massier, circa 1890. The tripod like base has 3 stylized lions, the green/blue hues of this vase are magical as the light hits t...

French neoclassical Majolica urn on stand by Clement Massier, circa 1890. The Tripod like base has 3 stylized lions, the green/blue hues of this vase are magical as the light hits t...

Art Nouveau Vallauris Majolica jardinière on stand, planter by Jerome Massier Design period 1890-1919. The piece is in excellent condition and a real beauty! A real treasure for the...

Naturalistic Majolica birds well signed Clement Massier Golfe Juan ( A.M ), circa 1890.