A late 19th century Barbotine dish

A barbotine dish attributed to Thomas Sergent, late 19th century, with its stand marked “Sarreguemines”, depicting children supporting a bowl. In perfect condition.

The works of Thomas Victor Sergent recall the importance of Bernard Palissy in the 19th century and the myth surrounding his work as a ceramist. After a series of experiments with coloured glazes, Palissy specialised in polychrome enamel ceramics.

A number of artists in Tours and later in Paris claimed this tradition, reviving the characteristics of this distinctive ceramic style that Palissy himself referred to as “rustiques figulines”.

Thomas Victor Sergent, active between 1870 and 1885, took part in this revival and can be considered one of the three greatest “Palissysts” of the 19th century, alongside Victor Barbizet and Georges Pull. Sergent stands out for the technical quality of his dense, deep glaze, which enhances vivid and contrasting colours. He particularly favoured bright cobalt blue. He more frequently used moulding than modelling, though both techniques are often combined.