Majolica jardinière with duck decoration, 19th century.

Exceptional naturalistic barbotine planter from the late 19th century featuring a decorative-sized mallard duck. The realistic treatment of the subject, its deep nuances of petroleum blue, iridescent green, cream, and amber brown, as well as the lively and expressive gaze of the animal, reflect the fascination with living nature that permeated the late 19th century and fully heralds the Art Nouveau aesthetic. These large animal-themed barbotines were intended for bourgeois residences: winter gardens, smoking rooms, salons, or orangeries, where the taste for the spectacular and refinement was cultivated. The model presented here stands out for: — its theatrical dimensions; — the richness of its relief; — the intensity and depth of its glazes; — its almost museum-like visual presence. A spectacular decorative work, a rare example from the Belle Époque that has survived to this day in exceptional condition.