The skill and knowledge that was needed to make this beautiful 19th century French barbotine jardiniere is significant. Each of the gros relief flowers was painstakingly formed and painted by hand. Barbotine products are a mixture of Kaolin clay and water and in the case of the attached flowers, they are manipulated into paper-thin fineness. Once the flowers were colored, they were affixed to the side of the jardiniere, glazed, and fired. Any miscalculation during the firing process would result in a restart, negating months of hard work. It is difficult to find an intact barbotine with gros relief flowers due to the fragility.

The jardiniere has been painted using gradient colors, with black at the top and golden brown at the molded base. In between those hues is a mottled black and brown background that extends up to the curled volute handles. Blue, pink, yellow, and orange gros relief flowers with attached greenery have been applied over the speckled area.

Our barbotine jardiniere with gros relief flowers can be used as originally intended, as a small indoor planter. It can also be utilized as a decorative accessory or a vide poche, which is a storage compartment for small items.

CONDITION: Good antique condition, with wear commensurate to age and use, including minor buildup to the interior. Fleabites and small losses to the relief flowers.