Large basin with snake, ferns, and bark

Charles-Jean Avisseau

ca. 1850–1855 · Glazed earthenware · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Though Charles-Jean Avisseau is often credited with rediscovering the techniques of Bernard Palissy (ca. 1510-1590), he often surpassed the much simpler forms used by the Renaissance potter. Here, Avisseau creates a microcosm teeming with life on the surface of the ceramic basin, with shells interspersed alongside a snake, a salamander, and a lizard, each colored with a different ceramic glaze.

Artist

Charles-Jean Avisseau

Date

ca. 1850–1855

Medium

Glazed earthenware

Culture

French

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Wallis Katz, in memory of Marshall Katz, and in celebration of the Museum's 150th anniversary, 2020