Motif Floral (Floral Motif)
Ceramic; Decorative wall charger/plate • Manner of Pablo Picasso (Madoura Studio) or Henri Matisse
Style & Movement
Modernist / Fauvism influence
Medium & Technique
Glazed earthenware; hand-painted with cobalt blue, yellow, turquoise, and violet glazes over a ceramic body with black slip outlining.
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1950s)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 30-40 cm in diameter; circular tondo format.
Subject Description
An abstract, organic floral composition featuring winding yellow stems, fern-like leaves, and bulbous flower heads in violet and turquoise. The background is a deep, variegated cobalt blue with visible brushstrokes. The thick black outlines are characteristic of mid-century ceramic design influenced by the Vallauris potters.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; the glaze appears vibrant with a healthy sheen, though minor surface scratches and kiln-firing imperfections are present.
Estimated Market Value
$1,200 - $3,500 (dependent on verification of studio and artist mark)
Auction Estimate
$800 - $2,500
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a European private collection; potentially carries the 'Madoura' or 'Empreinte Originale de Picasso' stamp on the reverse if authentic, or a generic studio mark from the Vallauris region.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the post-war boom in artist-led ceramic production in Southern France. This style exemplifies the democratization of art where high-modernist painters like Picasso and Matisse applied their graphic language to functional, everyday objects.
Notable Features
Bold, graphic use of negative space; the use of 'cuerda seca' style black separation between colors; organic, rhythmic movement of the 'dancing' floral vines.
Condition Issues
Visible glaze crazing consistent with age; possible small chips on the rim (stilt marks) and slight pigment fading in the violet sections due to firing temperatures.
Conservation Recommendations
Display on a padded secure wire hanger; keep away from direct UV light to prevent glaze discoloration; clean only with a dry microfiber cloth.