Large Moustiers earthenware dish depicting a gazelle hunt. Circa 1710-20.

Large round dish in Moustiers earthenware with blue monochrome decoration in the center in a large medallion, depicting a scene of gazelle hunting with trained cheetah, based on an engraving by Antiono Tempesta. On the rim, a frieze of embroidery in a style influenced by Rouen earthenware. Manufactured by Clérissy, circa 1710-1720, 18th century. Diameter: 56.8 cm.

Cheetah hunting scene:
The hunting prince, wearing a plumed helmet, releases a cheetah with the help of an Ottoman hunting servant onto stylized gazelles with surrealistic exotic horns. Cheetah hunting was common for animals that were too fast for ordinary dogs. The landscape is lush and exotic, with palm trees and umbrella pines; it is probably an imaginary representation, inspired by travel and hunting stories, which were particularly popular at the time.
Engraving: First published by Antonio Tempesta (1555-1630) in 1598 by commission of Pope Clement VIII and second published by Joan Antonio de Paulis in 1599 by privilege of Pope Alexander VII. A copy is preserved at the Herzog Anton Ulrich-Luseul in Braunschweig (Germany).