Style Japonism, Chinoiserie / Ref.14514

Théodore DECK and Ernest CARRIÈRE, Earthenware dish with a mallard in the golden sun

This glazed ceramic dish was crafted in the workshop of the ceramist Théodore Deck (1823-1891) and painted by Ernest Carrière (1858-1908).

Théodore Deck initially trained in the field of stove manufacturing. When he established his own workshop in Paris in 1858, he started by producing stove coverings, and later ventured into ceramics. The workshop created numerous dishes in collaboration with recognized painters, including Ernest Carrière. Over time, Deck refined his technique and achieved considerable success at various International Exhibitions in which he participated. In 1878, he was appointed an officer of the Legion of Honor. He directed the Sèvres porcelain factory from 1887 until his death in 1891.

Trained in painting and enamel by his brother Eugène and Louis Devillez, Ernest Carrière collaborated with Deck from 1887 until the late 1890s, notably executing a series of dishes featuring ducks in flight in the 1890s-1900s. He was appointed creative director at the Sèvres factory shortly before his death.

The dish is adorned with an extremely naturalistic duck captured in mid-flight, set against a cloudy sky pierced by blue sky and the brilliance of a golden sun. This decoration reflects Deck's interest in Far Eastern arts, which he began collecting in the 1870s. This inspiration is evident in the choice of the duck, often depicted by Hiroshige in his prints. Furthermore, the sun could allude to Japan's nickname, the "Land of the Rising Sun", and is also a symbol of life.

This work is an emblematic example of Théodore Deck's mastery of the cloisonné enamel technique, which he perfected from 1874, allowing for great precision and extreme clarity in execution. Deck is also renowned for his metallic inclusions in enamel work, earning him a silver medal in 1867. The sun, for which he used a gold leaf, is an iconic example.

The Théodore Deck and Florival Countries Museum in Guebwiller has a very similar dish, depicting a duck taking flight in front of a golden sun. However, the color range is different, and the duck is more naturalistic on our dish. The Marc Maison gallery owns another dish with a similar design, featuring a duck in flight between sky and water.

For more information on this work, see the video on MarcMaison.art.