Ref.15388
Théodore DECK, Dish decorated with iridescent bird and insects, circa 1880-1900

This earthenware dish with rich iridescent reflections was made by Théodore Deck around 1880-1900. It bears the artist’s signature and stamp on the back. Théodore Deck initially trained in the field of stove manufacturing. When he established in Paris on his own in 1858, he produced stove coverings and, buoyed by his success, ventured into ceramics. The workshop then created numerous dishes, sometimes in collaboration with renowned painters. He gradually perfected his technique and achieved great success at the many Universal Exhibitions in which he participated. In 1878, he was made an officer of the Legion of Honor. He led the Sèvres factory from 1887 until his death in 1891. The decoration of this dish, particularly poetic, features a small bird with a yellow throat and blue-green and brown wings, surrounded by orange flowers among which a bee and two butterflies flutter. The top of the bird’s head and part of its wings, as well as the wings of the butterflies and the body of the bee, were executed thanks to Deck’s work on metallic reflections, which uniquely enriches the decoration of this dish. It is notably due to his technical mastery in this area that he won a silver medal at the Universal Exhibition of 1867; however, it is rare for him to use such an important and varied application in a single work. In this, the dish is an exceptional piece. The artist particularly favored motifs of birds and butterflies in flight within a natural, flowery setting; this is evidenced by another dish of his, preserved in Peter Marino's collection, depicting a bird with blue wings striped with black, perched on a flowering branch, from where it watches two butterflies with colorful wings.

Ref.16052
PORET AND PANNETIER, French billiard table in the Louis-Philippe style with rich marquetry decoration, resting on six gilt bronze lion's feet

This exceptional French billiard table is signed Poret and Pannetier. Active from 1807 to 1852, Pannetier was a prestigious Parisian billiard table manufacturer. During his career, he was a supplier to the Emperor and later to the monarchy. It is known that he partnered with Poret in 1842 and established the company at 30 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle in Paris. Their business continued until 1852. The inscription "Breveté - Roi" (Patented - King) indicates a royal warrant, illustrating the manufacturers' prestige. As the July Monarchy ended in 1848, this billiard table can be dated between 1842 and 1848. The Louis-Philippe period and ornamental vocabulary are reflected in the style of this billiard table, with its clean and imposing lines. The six gilt-bronze legs feature lion masks and clawed hooves, while the marquetry decoration, still in the neoclassical style, displays elegant scrolls and foliage. In a lively yet discreet manner, confronted griffins evoke antiquity. Our billiard table has two gilt-bronze ball trays in the shape of lion heads. Having entered the customs of the French nobility as early as the 17th century, the game of billiards experienced considerable growth in the mid-19th century, particularly with the invention of French billiards as it is played today. This imposing table is a historical testament to the popularity of billiards in France during this period.