Rouen Faience Two-Handled Tureen and Cover

Circa second half of the 18th century, 1750–1760 | France

An antique eighteenth century Rouen faience oblong form tureen with polychrome decoration of flowers, leaves and insects, including a large butterfly, on base white glaze with a bluish or greenish tint. The domed lid is highly decorated with asymmetrical ‘a la corne’ decoration (see The Gen) and the tureen is topped by a green artichoke vegetable-form finial. The base is decorated with flowers and insects as are the handles. The polychrome decoration includes blue, yellow, green, iron red and purple-brown glazes.

SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: An N mark is painted in green on the underside of the base. Unknown maker.

DIMENSIONS: Length 29 cm, Width 21 cm, and Height to top of finial 15 cm.

CONDITION: Very good condition, wear consistent with an antique age and use. Some slight rubbing to the lid and base and kiln pitting to the reverse of the lid and base. No evident restoration.

REFERENCES: For examples of similar ‘a la corne’ decoration to the tureen see the dish at The British Museum, Registration Number 1975,0402.1 and also see the plate at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Accession Number C.799-1925. For an example of a similar tureen see A History and Description of The Old French Faience, M.L. Solon, Cassell and Company Limited, 1903, p. 87.

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THE GEN

“The ‘décor a la corne’ or cornucopia theme of decoration (here a double cornucopia) is one of the most popular of those used at Rouen. From the horn of plenty with its curling tip issue brown branches covered with red and blue carnations, still faintly reminiscent of the East. A frieze of small arches emphasise the molded rim.” (World of Ceramics: An Illustrated History, Robert J. Charleston (ed.), Hamlyn Publishing Group, 1990, p. 186)

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