Preliminary identification
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Overview
An elegant tin-glazed earthenware (faience) oval basket featuring a scalloped rim, twisted branch-form handles, and a molded lattice exterior dotted with delicate floral sprigs. The interior is hand-painted with a central pastoral scene of a couple in 18th-century attire, framed by floral bouquets and whimsical insects.
Story
Eighteenth-century Marseille was a powerhouse of ceramic art, led by the formidable widow Pierrette Perrin. This basket revives her workshop's legendary Rococo style, celebrating a romanticized, sun-drenched French countryside.
Maker / Origin
After her husband's death in 1748, Pierrette Perrin took over his workshop, signing her wares with a simple 'VP'. Under her brilliant direction, the Veuve Perrin factory became world-renowned for its exquisite enamel painting and whimsical natural motifs. While this piece is a later 19th-century revival of her work, it honors her legacy of fierce independence and artistic excellence.
Condition & Value
The basket shows typical light crazing consistent with tin-glazed earthenware. There is some visible browning/staining along the unglazed foot rim, which is normal for ceramics of this age. No major chips or cracks are visible in the photos, which is excellent for delicate faience. Excellent condition commands a premium.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.