Pair of vases attributed to Jean Baptiste Barbizet

Pair of vases attributed to JEAN BAPTISTE VICTOR BARBIZET (France, 1805-1870).
Earthenware (majolica) glazed.
It has a slight lack in the butterfly (worm).
Measurements: 38.5 x 28 x 5 cm.

The pair of vases in tender exhibits the characteristic style of Palissy pottery, a type of pottery inspired by the work of French potter Bernard Palissy (c. 1510-1590), particularly the French neo-Palisséenne variant of the 19th century, which was popularized by artists such as Victor Barbizet. Both pieces feature on their front the head of Medusa arranged over vine and butterfly motifs. The handles are surrounded by snakes. The way in which the decorative elements rise from the surface and simulate organic textures is very typical of Palissy's ceramic trompe l'oeil, as are the blue and earthy colors that seek to imitate the liveliness of nature.

Victor Barbizet set up his studio in Paris in 1850. In 1858, he won the gold medal for ceramics in Dijon. His productions are often distinguished by an intense blue background. He worked with his son, Claude-Achille Barbizet, with whom he also won some prizes. He developed a specialized style in the creation of Palissy-style ceramics, characterized by the use of trompe l'oeil and by creating realistic and detailed representations of nature.