A large lidded footed bowl, signed by Theodore Deck, France, 19th century

Joseph-Théodore Deck (1823-91) was an influential figure in nineteenth century French ceramics, famously known for developing the ‘Bleu de Deck’ turquoise glaze. His innovations earned him the art director of the Sèvres national porcelain manufacture in 1887. In the midst of the rococo revival and following the eighteenth century’s Turquerie movement in France, Deck produced French iterations of traditional Iznik wares. 

This footed bowl and lid are based on a first-hand study of rare Iznik dishes, with few surviving examples due to their delicate squat baluster form. Three such Iznik bowls and covers are held in the British museum collection (museum numbers: 1878,1230.479; 1878,1230.478; FBIs.5). 

For this piece, Deck reproduced an original polychrome Iznik design of carnation flowers and palmettes, bordered by keyfret and scale bands. However, handles were added as a French twist to appeal to the local market, akin to other tureen dishes made in Sèvres (as seen in the Met museum, object number 2004.361.5a, b). A comparable Deck piece was sold in these rooms, 26 October 2022, lot 150.