Property of a North American Private Collector
An Iznik-style pottery dish, Samson, France, 19th Century
No reserve
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
of shallow rounded form, decorated in blue, green and red outlined in black with sprays of hyacinths and roses beneath arabesques and leaves, the rim with wave and scroll border, reverse with alternating leaves and stylised floral sprays, Samson mark to underside of foot
45cm. diam.
Ex-collection Guido Goldman (1937-2020), Concord, Massachusetts
Samson ceramics are recognised among notable examples of French ceramic production in the second half of the nineteenth century. Edme ‘Mardoché’ Samson (1810-91) was the first in his family to establish a workshop in Paris in 1845. Production expanded rapidly during the third quarter of the century, fuelled by the growing demand for luxury objects promoted by the court of Napoleon III.
The publication in 1859 of Recueil de dessins pour l’Art et l’Industrie, engraved by Adalbert de Beaumont following his travels in the Middle East, sparked Samson’s interest in Oriental-inspired ceramics. This publication provided artisans with a rich repertoire of motifs and contributed to the vogue for Islamic-style works. Other renowned ceramicists, including Théodore Deck, Edmond Lachenal, and Léon Parvillée, likewise began producing pieces in this style.
