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PALISSY WARE - Origins & Appraisal Values
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PALISSY and PALISSY WARE are antiques terms that refer to Majolica Earthenware & Porcelain or Art Pottery that exhibit high relief decoration and in various forms. Some are functional & utilitarian and some purely for display.
Specifically, a reference to PALISSY WARE describes items made by many Artisans & Pottery Studios inspired by the 16thC French ceramicist BERNARD PALISSY [b.1510 - d.1590], who pioneered lead-based & enameled pottery, now collectively referred to as MAJOLICA. Very few of his original pieces survive nowadays and those would be displayed in fine Museums.
PALISSY WARE is characterized by heavy Majolica (Tin) glazes in mostly deep greens, reds, yellows and other strong colors, yet elegantly diffused throughout the piece. High relief surface decoration is usually in the form of small animals, like snakes, lizards etc, or fish, shellfish and other sea creatures, fruit or vegetables & plants and other pronounced details. Serious initial attempts at reviving this style of Art Pottery begun in France ca 1840s by several potters and quickly spread to nearby countries such as Portugal, UK, Italy & elsewhere.
Most desirable and collectible PALISSY WARE were made ca 1850s - 1920s, especially items from the Tours (France) and Calda da Raihna (Portugal) regions. Later items are primarily of decorative value, regardless of origin, and are usually sold as souvenirs or tourist ware of no significant value to most collectors.
A cautionary note: PALISSY WARE is NOT related to PALISSY POTTERY of Longton, Staffordshire (UK), who did not produce pottery in this style. However, GEORGE JONES (also from Staffordshire, UK), created magnificent pieces in this style ca late 19thC.
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A PAIR OF PORTUGUESE PALISSY WARE TEACUPS
AND SAUCERS, MANUEL MAFRA, CALDAS DA RAINHA formed as green glazed cabbage leaves, the handle of the cup in the form of a snake, saucer 14cm diam, c1865-87 Comparative Literature: ... [more like this] -
early 20th c. Portuguese Palissy type majolica
glaze lobster wall plaque plate 9" dia glaze lobster wall plaque plate 9" dia ... [more like this] -
2 Portuguese Palissy Ware Plates by Jose
Cunha: 2 Portuguese Palissy ware plates by Jose Cunha decorated in high relief with lizards, snakes, butterflies and other creatures. Marked on bottom Jose Cunha Caldas da ... [more like this] -
Two similar Portuguese Palissy candlesticks each
decorated with a monkey climbing up a tree, naturalistic foot base, impressed marks (damages), 25cm high; and a Palissy style plant holder decorated as a log with ivy leaves, ... [more like this] -
3 PIECE PORTUGAL PALISSY WARE PLATES: 3
pieces total, all Portuguese, palissy ware to include 1) Large charger with lobster and mussels, illegible circle mark, 2 3/4'' h. x 14'' dia. 2) Small plate with lobster, ... [more like this] -
PORTUGUESE Palissy-ware platter with crustaceans,
featuring a large lobster in red glaze. Small glaze chip. Die-stamp. 12 1/2" diameter. ... [more like this] -
PORTUGUESE Palissy-ware platter with crustaceans,
featuring a large crab in red glaze. Unmarked. 12 1/2" diameter. ... [more like this] -
Portuguese Palissy style pottery ewer moulded
with a branch handle and the body applied with insects and frogs decorated in a green and brown glaze, 31cm high ... [more like this] -
Rare Portuguese Palissy Ware "Stump and Lizard"
Ewer, fourth quarter 19th century, by the Joao Duarte works, Caldas da Rainha, with full impressed signature underglaze on the base, h. 12-1/2". ... [more like this] -
Fine and Large Portuguese Palissy Ware Trophee
Charger, first quarter 20th century, by the Pinheiro Works, Caldas da Rainha, the trophee modeled as a hare, a duck and a brace of pigeons, with full signature impressed ... [more like this] -
A Portuguese Palissy style ewer and underplate
by Mafra, with a large lizard form handle, the mossy ground decorated with lizards, frogs and butterflies moulded in high relief, set on an underplate with mossy rim and stamped ... [more like this] -
A Portuguese Palissy-style dish, decorated
with a pair of lizards fighting on a mossy base, with two stag beetles, impressed factory marks. Some restoration. Late 19th century, 18cm. ... [more like this] -
Portuguese Palissy style creamer late 19th
century misshapen vasiform with serpent handle and frog just below protrusion which forms spout. H3 1/2" Provenance: Estate of J.M. Larkin, Camden, South Carolina. ... [more like this] -
Portuguese Palissy-Type Dish M. Mafra, Caldas,
Late 19th Century The circular dish with two applied lizards and a beetle on a mossy ground. Underside with impressed factory mark. Diameter: 7 in (17.8 cm) Small loss ... [more like this] -
Pair of Portuguese Palissy-type vases by
M. Mafra, Caldas, Portugal, c.1900, with snake handles and lizard, frog, snail, insect and floral decoration. 13”h.x9”w. overall ... [more like this] -
A late 19thC Portuguese Palissy type jug
and cover applied with toads, lizards and beetles, on a stylised moss ground with lizard handle and domed foot39cm high ... [more like this] -
A late 19thC Mafra Portuguese Palissy type
circular plaque, applied with lizards and beetles on a stylised moss ground, impressed mark24cm diameter ... [more like this] -
Pair of Portuguese Palissy style majolica
plates depicting crocodiles and a toad. ... [more like this] -
Portuguese Palissy style dish decorated with
a lobster ... [more like this] -
Portuguese Palissy style plate decorated
with a toad, lizard and insects ... [more like this]
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