A GLAZED AND PAINTED EARTHENWARE CHARGER, CIRCA 1900

Lucien Lèvy (1865-1953), later known as Lèvy-Dhurmer, was hired in 1887 as the artistic director of the Massier Art Pottery. Having been a collector of Hispano-Moresque ceramics, he was essentially responsible for introducing the magic of luster glazes to Massier and they experimented the first years with Persian and Moorish motifs. At the Exposition Universelle de Paris in 1889 Massier won a gold medal for the spectacular new metallic iridescent pottery which they had developed. As with this amazing "bat" charger, Lèvy-Dhurmer drew upon his personal fascination with the creatures of nature to imbue his creations with the dramatic imagery of Symbolism. In 1895 he decided to pursue the world of painting and left his job at Massier factory in Golfe-Juan, France.