French White Tin-Glazed Terracotta Cat Attributed To Poterie Du Mesnil De Bavent

The wonderfully expressive and rather startled French terracotta cat, attributed to the celebrated Poterie du Mesnil de Bavent in Normandy and dating to the first quarter of the twentieth century, the whole modelled in an animated, defensive stance, with its back dramatically arched, head raised, ears pricked and long tail extended, the figure covered in a beautifully crazed creamy-white glaze, its fur rendered in generously textured relief, whilst the extraordinary amber-yellow glass eyes, with their dark pupils, lend the creature an almost uncanny sense of animation, the four feet incorporating apertures, suggesting the figure’s original use as an architectural ornament secured to a roof or other elevated position.

In attractive original condition, with extensive age-related crazing throughout the glaze, areas of discolouration, minor chips, firing imperfections and general surface wear. The underside of the feet exhibits wear and exposed terracotta around the fixing apertures. Both inset glass eyes survive and remain particularly striking. The overall surface has acquired a pleasingly mellow, timeworn appearance.

The Poterie du Mesnil de Bavent, established in Normandy in 1842, became particularly celebrated for its production of decorative architectural ceramics, including elaborate roof finials, ridge ornaments and wonderfully characterful representations of animals. Such figures formed part of a distinctive regional tradition of ornamenting rooftops with ceramic creatures, combining practical craftsmanship with an exuberant sense of folk art. Cats were among the pottery’s most memorable subjects, their exaggerated expressions and spirited poses making them especially desirable today.

An exceptionally entertaining example of French vernacular pottery, possessing a remarkable mixture of charm, humour and eccentricity. The dramatic posture, splendidly crazed white glaze and penetrating glass eyes give this particular cat an irresistible personality making it a wonderfully unusual survivor of the French architectural pottery tradition and equally compelling as a piece of folk art or simply as a decorative object of considerable verve.