René Buthaud (attr.) for Primavera

France
1930s
glazed ceramic
9 1/2″ high x 6″ diameter

In 1923 René Buthaud established the ceramics division of Atelier Primavera, the design studio of the Parisian department store Au Printemps. Like many of his design peers in the early 20th century, Buthaud was trained in fine arts. He studied painting and etching at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris, and later won a Prix de Rome. But he crossed happily over into decorative arts, exercising his vision with more utilitarian materials. His respect for the techniques of artisanal French pottery studios was reflected in his turning to them to produce the more modern designs of his atelier.

The Printemps ceramics of the years between the wars under his direction are highly collectible. This is a lovely example, with its mottle glaze and applied leaf motif. Signed and numbered.