Alfred Renoleau, Fish dish in the spirit of Palissy, Circa 1890-1900, glazed earthenware, Roumazières, France

This dish with fish motifs recalls the work of Palissy and his followers. From the 1880s onwards, Alfred Renoleau, fascinated by the life of Bernard Palissy, sought to follow in the footsteps of the famous Renaissance potter. He began producing rustic figulines or ceramics inspired by naturalism, evoking the abundance of life. The model for this brown-bottomed dish was supplied by Renoleau, who collaborated for a time, between 1888 and 1890, with the brilliant entrepreneur Eugène Polakowski.

The stamp on the reverse of the piece allows us to partially retrace its history. Our piece was made at the Grandes Tuileries in Roumazières, Charente. Renoleau’s coin designs met with unprecedented success, and he triumphed at the 1889 Exposition Universelle. A gold medal was awarded to the Tuileries Polakowski and Alfred Renoleau received a bronze medal. He only worked at Roumazières for two years, but this short time was enough to contribute to the company’s progress and make his name known.