Early 20th Century French Painted Ceramic Barbotine Pig Pitcher, Signed Orchies

Description

This antique water pitcher was crafted in Northern France, circa 1880. The jug, titled "Cochon au Jambon" (pig with ham), … more This antique water pitcher was crafted in Northern France, circa 1880. The jug, titled "Cochon au Jambon" (pig with ham), features a pig sculpture with a laurel leaf crown carrying a ham, and embellished with a sausage link handle. The figure has wonderful facial expressions and a unique shape. The playful pitcher is in excellent condition and has rich colors throughout in a tan skin tone. Markings on the bottom with #C2 Orchies for further authentication. The farm animal subject matter is a Classic motif of French country style. A similar piece is pictured in the book "Pichets en Barbotines" by Maryse Bottero page 84. (See last two pictures).
Orchies: the company started producing majolica at the end of the 19th century and by the early 1900's produced over twenty humorous majolica jugs including modeled animals including cats, dogs, roosters, pigs and more rarely the braying donkey jug and squirrel jug. The company is only known to have produced few toby jug designs depicting three quarter length rather than head and shoulder figures and these are hard to find today. In 1904, Orchies’ ceramic production became more artistic under the name of L'Herminé et Cie. The mark OLD thus stands for Orchies L'Herminé Declercq. In 1923 the Orchies and Hamage factories merged and became Moulin des Loups & Hamage. The new company's mark generally comprises a windmill and the name ORCHIES in capitals. The factory closed in the eighties.
Measures: 8.25" W x 5" D x 8.75" H. less