ANDRÉ BAUD (1903-1986) large plate depicting birds, Vallauris, France, c. 1950

Large decorative plate featuring birds and doves, designed by André Baud for Vallauris, France, mid-1900s. With the artist's and manufacturer's stamp and signature. Showing signs of age and use, with losses and dents. About the artist: ANDRÉ BAUD (1903-1986) studied at the École des beaux-arts in Bourges from 1920 to 1923 and received the grand prize for ceramics in 1923. He continued his training at the École des arts appliqués in Paris from 1923 to 1926. He won an award at the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in 1925. From 1926 to 1940, he worked in various art studios and ceramic companies while participating in exhibitions (the Salon des Indépendants, the Salon of Decorative Artists, the Salon d'Automne). André and his wife Micheline Bour arrived in Vallauris in 1942 and rented a factory which they later purchased. He set up a sales shop run by Micheline, which promoted the production of culinary, utilitarian, and decorative ceramics. Based in Vallauris, after Suzanne Ramié (Madoura workshop), André Baud actively participated in the revival of ceramics in Vallauris, alongside Robert Picault and Roger Capron (Callis workshop in 1945). During the summer of 1946, the trio (Madoura, Baud, and Callis) organised the first exhibition of potters from Vallauris in the hall of the Nérolium, which would later become the International Biennale of Art Ceramics in Vallauris. During this golden age of pottery in the region, André befriended Henri Grailhe, Picasso, and Paul Éluard. André Baud created unique decorative pieces of high quality, often decorated on a range of satin matte backgrounds from silky black to pure white. His work has been awarded numerous prizes: International Exhibition of Albisola 1958: vermeil medal. Union of Arts and Crafts Paris 1963: diploma of honour. Gold medal at the Albisola ceramics festival, 1963 - and many more.