Charger

This monumental charger, or large plate, is an outstanding example of Palissy ware - earthenware made in the nineteenth century in imitation of the work of sixteenth-century potter Bernard Palissy. Realistic and representational, Palissy’s work was decorated abundantly with high-relief forms of small reptiles, frogs, snakes, lizards, aquatic plants, and other foliage, often cast from life. He glazed his wares in bright colors that enhanced their sculptural quality.

Some nineteenth century potters interested in reinterpreting and imitating historic styles and techniques became fascinated by in Palissy’s work. French potter Charles-Jean Avisseau of Tours, who discovered Palissy’s techniques in the 1840s after much research and experimentation, was the first to revive his style. Encouraged by Avisseau’s success, Victor Barbizet is credited with having established the production of Palissy ware in Paris.

The Art Museum’s charger is decorated with a lizard, a turtle, a frog, a snail, snakes, a large crab, various shells, and foliage, all with a rich multicolored lead-glaze finish. Palissy scholars attribute it to the Barbizet Studio of Paris on the basis of stylistic and technical similarities to other examples known to have been made in this studio.