Moustiers. The products of the Moustiers fabriques may be divided into three periods:—
1st Epoch. Towards the end of the 17th century. The subjects are hunting scenes, &c., painted in blue; champêtre scenes and figures in costumes of the period of Louis XIV.; and mythological and biblical subjects with arabesque borders. The outlines are sometimes lightly indicated in violet of manganese.
Fig. 69.—Plateau.
2nd Epoch. From the commencement of the 18th century to about 1745. The specimens of this period are in blue camaïeu with highly finished and graceful interlaced patterns, among which are cupids, satyrs, nymphs, terminal figures, flowers, masks, &c.; canopies with draperies resting upon consoles, vases, fountains, &c.
3rd Epoch. From 1745 to 1789. The fayence is mostly painted in polychrome; the colours are blue, brown, yellow, green, and violet. The decorations are flowers, fruit, and foliage, and sometimes mythological subjects. Other patterns of this period consist of grotesque figures, and caricatures. The outlines of the designs were transferred to the surface of the ware by means of paper patterns, pricked with a fine needle and powdered over with charcoal.
Fig. 70.—Compotier.
Fig. 69, painted in green camaïeu with a rustic subject in the style of Boucher, with polychrome floral border; 1720 to 1760; diam. 11⅛ in.
Fig. 70. Compotier, painted with a central hunting subject, after Tempesta, surrounded by a floral border, and outer border of garlands, in polychrome; 1680 to 1720; diam. 10⅜ in.