A 19th Century Delphin Massier Vallauris Pottery Mantel Clock Modelled as a Purple and Yellow Pansy Flowerhead

A charming 19th century Delphin Massier Vallauris pottery mantel clock modelled as a purple and yellow pansy flowerhead.  It is signed and inscribed in black ink 'Delphin Massier/Vallauris A.M.'on the back. 

The Massier family of Vallauris is known for producing majolica in the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1860, brothers Delphin and Clement Massier were joined by their cousin, Jerome and began producing a style of ceramic that bridged the traditional Victorian majolica and Art Nouveau pottery. The Massiers mastered the copper oxide flambé technique for glazing, thereby introducing an intensely vibrant color palette including red, green and blue hues which had hitherto not been seen in English majolica.

14 cm high