Fig. 57.—Ewer.
About 1600.
Bernard Palissy, born 1510, succeeded, after many years of diligent research, in discovering the enamel which decorates his ware. His earthenware, as well as his style of decoration and his beautiful modelling, were quite original. The natural objects represented upon his ware are true in form and colour, being mostly modelled from nature; the shells are copied from tertiary fossils found in the Paris basin; the fish are those of the Seine, and the reptiles and plants such as he found in the environs of Paris.
Fig. 58.—Dish.
16th Century.
Nevers. The earliest evidence of the making of fayence at Nevers is the foundation of a fabrique by Dominique Conrade, in the latter half of the 16th century, which was carried on by his son and grandson. In 1652, Pierre Custode established another fabrique, which was equally successful, and seven generations of his family were employed in it. Other manufactories were started in the 18th century.
The fayences of the first epoch, 1600 to 1660, have frequently been confounded with Italian maiolica, but a little attention will show the points of difference. In the Nevers ware the figures are always yellow on blue ground; the Italian figures are usually blue on yellow. At Nevers red or metallic lustre was never employed, and the outlines are always traced in manganese violet, never in purple or black. During the second epoch, the ground was a peculiar lapis-lazuli blue, like the Persian colour called bleu de Perse; it entirely covered the piece, was spotted or painted with white, or sometimes in yellow and orange, and decorated with flowers and birds. The Chinese patterns are in light blue en camaïeu, sometimes intermixed with a sort of brown lilac.
Fig. 59.—Pilgrim’s Bottle. Bleu de Perse.
2nd half of 17th Century. Height 11½ in.