An oval ceramic platter densely decorated with realistic low-relief animals, shells, and plants. It has glossy, transparent glazes in blue, green, grey, brown, yellow, pink, and white. On a central blue-and-brown dappled island, a variety of shells, animals, and plants. At center, a round white clam shell, ringed by smaller round yellow shells. To the left of the yellow shells, a large pink spiral shell; to the right, two pointed white shells; below, a small green frog. Scattered around the island are various smaller shells in pink, yellow, and white, and bright green leaves. Surrounding the island, on a wavy blue background, four grey fishes appear to swim: two large fish at top and bottom, two small fish at right and left. Beyond the fish, around the rim of the plate, a dense border of various green plants, interspersed with white, pink, and yellow shells; and assorted animals. Working around the rim as if it were a clock face: at twelve o'clock, a green lizard; at one o'clock, a brown beetle; at three o'clock, a small green frog and pink and brown dragonfly; at six o'clock, a coiled grey snake and brown crayfish; at nine o'clock, a green frog and pink beetle; at eleven o'clock, a brown crayfish.

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Object Timeline

1957	We acquired this object.
2007	We photographed this object.
2015	We photographed this object.
2024	You found it!

Platter (France)

This is a platter. It was after Bernard Palissy. It is dated probably 19th century and we acquired it in 1957. Its medium is lead-glazed earthenware. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

Sixteenth-century Europe was marked by a scientific interest in natural phenomena. New worlds had been discovered, occupied by animals and human beings never before seen in Europe. It was in this atmosphere that the talented French potter Bernard Palissy began practicing his trade. An enthusiastic natural scientist, Palissy used local fish, plants, and reptiles—he made casts of actual specimens for use in his modeling—fashioned in a range of colored glazes to develop what he called “pastoral pottery.” This oval platter, in the manner of Palissy, is in the shape of a pond surrounded by plant life. Perched on the plate are fish, a small frog, a coiled snake, and a variety of shells, crustaceans, and insects.

This object was donated by Francis B. Lothrop, Mrs. George Batchelder and Jordan Abbott. It is credited Gift of Francis B. Lothrop, Mrs. George Batchelder, and Jordan Abbott.

Its dimensions are

H x W x D.: 7 x 52 cm (2 3/4 x 20 1/2 x 16 in.)

Cite this object as

Platter (France); After Bernard Palissy (French, 1510 – 1590); lead-glazed earthenware; H x W x D.: 7 x 52 cm (2 3/4 x 20 1/2 x 16 in.); Gift of Francis B. Lothrop, Mrs. George Batchelder, and Jordan Abbott; 1957-29-2

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2Cp8K/
Accession Number 1957-29-2
Object ID 18418349