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Thistle Skillet, Étienne Daniel, Vallauris
€59Bid from €53.10
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ProfessionalProduct description
In the tremendous revival Vallauris experienced after the Second World War, a generation of potters turned domestic objects into a true field of expression. Étienne Daniel belongs to this history. A ceramist less publicized today than the major figures of Vallauris, his work is also more difficult to document: published biographical elements are scarce, and a part of his production is not systematically signed. Nevertheless, his name is well-documented in the literature dedicated to Vallaurian workshops. Above all, he leaves behind a decoration that has become immediately recognizable: the thistle. From the 1950s to the 1970s, this motif appeared repeatedly on his dishes, plates, bowls, and saucepans, to the point of becoming a true aesthetic signature. Documented pieces bear the initials D.E., while others are simply marked "décor main" (hand-decorated) or "Vallauris."
This large saucepan fully belongs to this universe. The clay is generously thrown and left visible on the base, where concentric circles still tell the story of the potter's hand. The light, almost ivory, enamel features a beautiful speckled brown pattern, which gives it that mineral depth characteristic of post-war Vallauris ceramics. Inside, two large stylized thistles bloom. The spiky leaves, deeply drawn and outlined in brown, are covered in intense turquoise green. The flowers blend powdery pink, mauve, and blue-violet. The decoration does not aim for botanical precision: it interprets the plant, enlarges it, and plays with its forms. The enamels concentrate in the reliefs, vary with firing, and give the design that vibrancy never found in industrial decoration. The exterior complements the interior decoration with broad vertical strokes of green enamel, freely applied to the speckled surface. The long handle, slightly raised and finished with a touch of turquoise, balances the rounded form of the saucepan. Its pierced end reminds us that these beautiful pieces could also be hung, contributing to the kitchen's decor.
This is precisely what makes Étienne Daniel's ceramics interesting: they stand at the crossroads of the useful and the decorative. The saucepan retains the memory of a familiar utensil, but the craftsmanship of the clay, the enamels, and especially this spectacular thistle transform it into an object of presence. Approximately 20 cm in diameter for 7 cm in height, excluding the handle length. The proportions are very close to a documented Étienne Daniel thistle saucepan measuring 21.5 cm in diameter and 33 cm with its handle. A very beautiful 20th-century French ceramic piece, expressive without being ostentatious, embodying all that makes Vallauris charming: the earth, the fire, the color, and the freedom of gesture.
Additional details:
- Brand: Étienne Daniel
- Designer: Étienne Daniel
- Style: Vallauris
- Material: Émail
- Colour: Ivoire
- Colour: Brun
- Colour: Vert turquoise
- Colour: Rose poudré
- Colour: Mauve
- Colour: Bleu-violet
- Period: 1950s-1970s
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsGreenMaterialCeramic
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ProfessionalSaint symphorien des bois, FranceOn Whoppah since August 2026 • 1 sale