Nevers earthenware bowl with the tree of love, dated 1770

Bowl of gadrooned shape in Nevers earthenware with polychrome decoration said to
The "tree of love" animated with many characters and a love at the top of the tree. Inscription " Marie Froget".
Dated 1770 at the back. 1770, 18th century.
Diameter: 34,2 cm ; H. 9,5 cm.

This decoration is taken from a late sixteenth century engraving and shows in a humorous way the struggle between men and women.
The men are perched on the branches on a tree with a figure of Love at the top. The girls are trying to force them down.

The men are happy, protected from the pestering of the girls.
The girls, desperate at this situation, surround the tree, implore the men to come down, and bring them presents to entice them.
But no seduction of any kind seems to work, so that the only effective way to get them down is to cut down the tree with a saw.
The Tree of Love has these meanings: that men are like birds, difficult to catch; and the picture also makes fun of girls looking for a husband.