Small square dish (or trinket tray?) in enamelled earthenware, covered with a blue glaze characteristic of Auguste Jean's repertoire and resting on four small spherical feet. Its polychrome decoration, with neo-Renaissance inspiration, depicts a chimera, a fantastic creature related to the dragon, whose long tail wraps around its body and extends to form an elegant vegetal interlace.
This work brings together several of the stylistic features emblematic of Auguste Jean: the harmony of the composition, the finesse of the enamelled decoration, the attention to detail and the richness of the polychromy, to which is added this famous deep blue background.
Although intended for everyday use, this earthenware piece is executed with the same care as Auguste Jean's most ambitious works, whose production covers everything from torchères and lighting fixtures, monumental fountains, busts, vases and bowls, basins and planters, clocks and decorative tiles for fireplaces or bathrooms to utilitarian objects.
Condition: Good condition despite some chipping.
Signature: Presence of partial and illegible labels. Signed on the reverse, beneath the piece, blue painted enamel: "Jean AJ".
