Dish - Marseille - 18th-century maiolica

Polychrome high-fire maiolica (faïence), popular French commemorative ware from the late 18th century, specifically linked to production tied to the “balloon mania,” a fashion of the moment (“patriotic and scientific decoration”). The euphoria for aerostatic flights on tableware quickly waned within about two years, dating it to 1784–1786. It can be inferred that this is a plate from 1784/85 both for the technique and for the minimalist iconography, not a complex, rich scene but an essential, immediate representation designed to celebrate the event on the eve of the flight. There are “pinpricks” present, though one is not perfectly visible. The rim is hand-rolled or formed with an era-styled contour contourné mold, typical of southern manufactories such as Marseille or Moustiers. It features a brush-point or comb border in brown, which was the craftsman’s visual signature for working quickly “at a high fire” or “at a low fire.” Pieces of this type were produced both in Marseille (by smaller manufactories or as more accessible lines from Veuve Perrin/Gaspard Robert) and in nearby centers such as Moustiers or Nevers. In the 1784 drawings, aerostatic balloons are almost always depicted with flags or standards (often bearing the colors of the King or the city) protruding from the nacelle or the hull. This served to convey movement and wind. The three isolated twigs (or double leaves) are a key element. In 18th-century Marseille and southern French maiolica, painters filled the empty spaces around the main subject with small stylized plant elements (called tiges or brindilles). Conservation: slight crazing only on the rim, while the surface retains a complete and “crystal” ring when tapped; there is also a total absence of chips. Absence of signatures. Height 2.5 cm. Diameter 23.5 cm. Private collection Medici Ottolin. The packaging will be extremely careful.