Vintage Pair of Christine Viennet French Trompe l’Oeil Ceramic Fruit Bowls

A vintage pair of Christine Viennet French Trompe L’Oeil ceramic fruit bowls. One bowl is lemons and the other mandarins with leaf stems on blue and white blows. Each measures 6” diameter and 2 ½” high. Good condition, no marks or damage; see photos.

Trompe l’oeil is the French term for ‘fool the eye’. This type of three-dimensional ceramic is also referred to as ‘fort relief’ (strong relief in English). Zoom in on the photos to appreciate in detail. Christine Viennet is a Franco-Norwegian ceramicist and sculptor who draws inspiration from the style of Palissy. Her studio and museum, housing an extensive collection of Palissy ware, are located at the Château de Raissac in Béziers, southern France. Each fruit and leaf were meticulously hand-modeled, painted, glazed and fired in the kiln before being applied. Similar items by this artist have achieved record prices in major international auction houses such as Christie’s.

BM/LA
458/E2057