A French faience plate, in the Moustiers style, featuring a blue and white
figural decoration. The specific motif of a warrior or classical figure
surrounded by floral and insect motifs is characteristic of the decorative
style popular in the 18th century.
Details
- Origin: Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a village
in southeastern France renowned for its tin-glazed earthenware (faience)
production since the 17th century.
- Style: The decoration is in the Bérain style,
which was highly influential in Moustiers from around 1710–1740. This
style often features delicate arabesques, architectural motifs, and
figures inspired by the engravings of Jean Bérain the Elder. The figure on
your plate appears to be a warrior with a spear and shield, a common
subject in this period.
- Period: While original 18th-century
Moustiers plates are highly prized, this style was extensively copied by
other French factories throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, and modern
artisans still produce wares in the old style today, as in this case.
- Material: It is made of faience, a type of
earthenware with a white tin glaze.
- "M. Blanc" is a known signature
associated with Michèle Blanc, a contemporary faience artist in the
renowned pottery village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, France.
About the Artist
- Michèle Blanc established her workshop, Atelier Michèle Blanc, in 1977. The plate measures 8" or 22 cm.