Style Japonism, Chinoiserie / Ref.15381

Théodore DECK, Large Dish With A Mallard Flying In A Golden Sky, late 19th century

This exceptionally large glazed ceramic ornamental dish was made by Théodore Deck at the end of the 19^th century.

Théodore Deck initially trained in the stove-making industry. When he established himself in Paris in 1858, he manufactured stove coverings. Buoyed by his success, he then ventured into ceramics. His workshop created numerous plates, sometimes in collaboration with recognized painters. He gradually perfected his technique and achieved significant success at the many Universal Exhibitions he participated in. In 1878, he was made an Officer of the Legion of Honour. He directed the Sèvres manufactory from 1887 until his death in 1891.

The figure of a mallard in flight stands out against a finely worked gilded background with subtle shades of yellow and brown. This work is an emblematic example of Théodore Deck’s mastery of the enamel technique, enabling him to achieve great finesse in his work: the bird is depicted with great precision and extreme clarity. The animal, depicted in a particularly dynamic way, seems to be looking at us. The work is enhanced by a natural wooden frame.

The decoration on this dish is typical of Deck, who worked on this subject on several occasions, sometimes in collaboration with the painter Ernest Carrière, who produced a series of dishes on the same theme as this one in the 1890s-1900s, sometimes without any signature other than his own, as here. It also reveals Deck’s interest in Far Eastern art, which he collected from the 1870s onwards; the Japanese draughtsman Utagawa Hiroshige often depicted mallards in his prints.

Deck collector Peter Marino owns two dishes depicting mallards in flight, with a less flamboyant naturalistic background than our dish. These are by Ernest Carrière, but also show the artist’s interest in the subject, while retaining the originality of each dish.