Style Symbolism / Ref.15387

Théodore DECK, Ornamental Dish With a Sleeping Female Profile Among Flowers, second half of the 19th century

This glazed earthenware dish depicting a female profile amidst purple poppy flowers was created by Théodore Deck in the second half of the 19^th century. The signature of the painter with whom he collaborated for its creation is illegible. It bears the artist’s signature and stamp on the reverse.

Théodore Deck initially trained in the field of stove manufacturing. When he established in Paris on his own in 1858, he produced stove tiles 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 significant 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 manufactory from 1887 until his death in 1891.

The decoration of this dish, highly poetic, features a woman with closed eyes, depicted in profile, seemingly asleep amidst flowers under a vast blue sky. Her hair falls backward, disappearing among the poppy flowers and leaves, possibly making her an allegory of sleep. While most female figures in the ceramist’s work are depicted in historical costumes, a timeless poetry imbues her face, making her quite unique in Deck’s production.