Woven white earthenware basket – attributed to Émile Tessier, Malicorne

A refined oval basket in white-glazed earthenware, built entirely by hand from woven strands of clay: upright ribbons with twisted loops around them and a twisted rim. This kind of ‘vannerie en céramique’ is typical of Émile Tessier (1887–1971) of Malicorne-sur-Sarthe, the French potters’ village famous for centuries for its faience. Tessier founded his own workshop in 1924, later the Faïencerie d’Art de Malicorne, and became famous for his openwork and woven pieces that look like lace or basketry. This basket is unsigned; the attribution to Tessier is based on its provenance and on the shape, technique and white glaze, which match signed woven dishes by his hand. Beautiful as a fruit bowl or bread basket, or simply empty as an object on the table. Suits a French country, Scandinavian or minimalist interior. Good condition; no breaks or glued repairs visible. One twisted loop on the rim has a slightly brownish discoloured spot in the glaze (photo 6). The foot rim is unglazed and shows light signs of use; the glaze on the bottom has a few small pinholes from the firing (photo 8).