Gorgeous Antique French Majolica St. Jean du Desert L. Berty Cicada Olive Tree Vase

Antiques : Ceramics, Porcelain : Majolica : French

 

I am pleased to offer this superb vase from the St. Jean du Desert faiencerie, near Marseilles. This form, both the applied cicada and the dark silhouette on shades of yellow and orange are very typical of the area Provence. The cicada is a symbol of good luck and appears all over the region. You see ceramic cicadas frequently attached to doorposts to bring good fortune to the occupants. The faiencerie St. Jean du Desert was opened in 1921 to bring back the native arts of Marseille. L. Berty was a well-known and popular artist associated with the faiencerie in the 1920’s. This vase measures just shy of 4” tall, 3 ½” from side to side, and 2 ½” from front to back. The base bears the crossed key underglaze mark of St. Jean du Desert, and the side is signed by the decorator, L. Berty. This is in excellent condition with its only issues being 2 tiny flakes to the rim that have been touched up sometime in the past.( They aren’t really visible, but can be felt with the fingertips.) There are also 3 small flakes around the base where the vase is in direct contact with the table. Shipping weight: 1 lb.7 oz. (Location: FD)

MEMBER: Majolica International Society

Item ID: RL030807