19th Century French Hand Painted Ceramic Barbotine Pig Pitcher By Onnaing

  

Colorful antique water pitcher from Northern France; crafted, circa 1890, the pitcher, called "maitre d'hotel" (or butler), features a pig dressed as a waiter and seated on a chair. The jar is in excellent condition with rich colors in the pale green and yellow palette. Stamped on the bottom 737. Pictured in the book "Pichets en Barbotine" by Maryse Bottero page 83.

The Onnaing Faiencerie was founded in Onnaing, France, in 1821 by Charles de Bousies. During the second half of the 19th century, the Mouzin brothers bought the factory and ran it until the factory closed in 1938. It was nearly destroyed by the Germans during World War I, but production restarted in 1921. The factory made mostly majolica pitchers and planters.

Onnaing designs included flowers, geometric patterns and famous historical figures, among others. Each design had a number and a corresponding model name. The marks "Frie Onnaing" and "Made in France" indicate that it was made after World War I. Best known among Onnaing Majolica are his pitchers with pigs or roosters. Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes.

A piece is broken from the back of the hat.