Polychrome Faience Fountain, Marseille, 18th Century

Attributed to Gaspard Robert (1722–1799)

Important three-part polychrome faience fountain from Marseille, dating from the 18th century.

Dimensions: H. 68 cm – W. 41 cm – D. 43 cm.

This remarkable fountain features a richly detailed pond-themed decoration animated by fish, reeds, marsh flowers, insects, and aquatic creatures, all rendered in relief and enhanced with vibrant polychrome enamels. The cover is surmounted by a swan with outstretched wings resting upon a profusion of flowers and foliage.

The reservoir is lavishly adorned with naturalistic ornamentation and features a gallant fishing scene inspired by The Fishing Party (1752) by François Boucher. The front is decorated with a sculpted human mask whose mouth forms the outlet for the tap.

The basin continues the pond motif with a lizard, water lilies, a dragonfly, and various floral elements painted in harmonious shades of green, yellow, pink, and blue.

Although unmarked, this work displays strong affinities with the productions of Gaspard Robert, notably in the quality of its relief decoration and its ornamental vocabulary.

Condition: Exceptional state of preservation. Two old stabilized hairline cracks underneath the base and a few minute losses. A rare and highly decorative example of 18th-century Marseille faience.