Rouen, located in the region of Normandy, just outside of Paris, has been at the center of French faience production since the mid-1500s. This lovely hand-painted jardiniere (circa 1900) is from Rouen and possesses wonderful vibrant colors over a glistening white background that was first made famous by 16th-century studios.

The shapely jardiniere has an undulating top full of movement, coupled with a bottom edge that is equally curvaceous. An abundance of C-scrolls, flowers, and curled leaves have been painted on the surface, enhancing the sinuosity. The sides are slightly pierced, with the openings surrounded by painted C-scrolls of blue, green, yellow, and orange. Other decorative motifs include showy floral margents, arabesque, and a flowering crest. A handle on each side consists of a colorful dragon with a curled leaf body. Our Rouen faience jardiniere would make a wonderful decorative addition to any room, from a windowsill planter in a kitchen to a vide poche in an entryway.

CONDITION: Good antique condition. Some motif losses with some chipped paint. Light buildup, commensurate with use as a jardiniere. “Rouen 1170” production mark on the underside.