Lucien Gaillard - 大盘子 - 陶器, 银

Rare French Art Nouveau silver-mounted ceramic bowl by Lucien Gaillard (1861–1942), Paris, circa 1900.

A refined example of French decorative art from the height of the Art Nouveau period, combining an experimental glazed ceramic body with elegant silver mounts by the renowned Parisian silversmith and jeweller Lucien Gaillard. This is a unique piece with museological value.

The shallow circular bowl is executed in glazed stoneware with an unusually atmospheric surface in shades of celadon green, turquoise, pale blue, grey and brown. The glaze creates irregular cloud-like and crystalline effects throughout the interior and exterior, giving each area of the bowl a subtly different appearance.

The ceramic is mounted in silver with a narrow circular foot and a finely detailed upper rim decorated with a continuous beaded or pearl border. The restrained silverwork forms an elegant contrast with the spontaneous mineral appearance of the glaze.

The silver foot is clearly engraved “L. GAILLARD”. Small French silver and maker’s punches are also visible on the mounting.

Lucien Gaillard was one of the leading Parisian jewellers and silversmiths of the French Art Nouveau period. Descended from an established family of goldsmiths, he assumed control of the family workshop in 1892 and received a Grand Prix at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900. Gaillard became particularly noted for objects combining precious metals with ceramics, glass and other materials, frequently drawing inspiration from Japanese decorative arts.

The ceramic body is most plausibly attributable to Eugène Baudin, whose experimental stoneware was mounted in silver by Lucien Gaillard around 1900. Documented Baudin/Gaillard collaborations survive from this exact period, including works associated with the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900. The bowl’s celadon, turquoise and brown experimental glaze is strongly compatible with Baudin’s stoneware production. As no exposed ceramic signature is presently visible, the attribution to Baudin is made cautiously rather than definitively.

A possible alternative attribution the Atelier de Glatigny, near Versailles. Founded during the 1890s, Glatigny specialised in experimental porcelain and stoneware with crystalline and flambé glazes. The workshop is well documented as supplying ceramics that were subsequently mounted in silver by Lucien Gaillard, including pieces dating to approximately 1898–1901 and examples preserved in museum collections. Another possible alternative attribution is the French ceramicist Jean Pointu (1843–1925), whose glazed stoneware was also mounted by Gaillard. In the absence of a visible ceramic workshop mark, the ceramic component is therefore catalogued conservatively as attributed to Atelier de Glatigny.

Details:
Designer / silversmith: Lucien Gaillard (1861–1942)
Ceramic workshop: attributed to Eugène Baudin
Alternative ceramic attribution: Atelier de Glatigny, Versailles or Jean Pointu
Country: France
Period: circa 1900
Style: Art Nouveau / Japonisme
Material: glazed stoneware and silver
Colours: celadon green, turquoise, pale blue, brown and grey
Decoration: mottled / crystalline high-fired glaze
Signature: engraved L. GAILLARD on the silver foot
Hallmarks: French silver and maker’s punches visible on the mounts

The object is in good antique condition, with wear consistent with its age. The ceramic shows minor surface marks and small areas of glaze wear. The silver mounting displays natural oxidation, scratches and patination. No major crack or restoration is apparent in the photographs.

The irregular brown, grey and green areas are predominantly part of the original experimental glaze decoration rather than later staining.