French Art Deco Glazed Red Ceramic Lion in the style of Saint Clement, 1930

Spectacular and large red-glazed ceramic lion in Art Deco style; the proud animal has been depicted in its classic attitude when it tends to silently approach its prey before attacking it, the powerful muscles, well outlined, highlight all the tension of the body, representation full of strength and suspense; a classic example of Art Deco that exalted in its artistic expressions the forms, strength, and power of both man and animals. The object features a very distinctive workmanship: the piece of raw ceramic was first molded into its final soft and elegant form, then fired at about 1000° C, then an ancient technique was used by applying "crystalline" (a transparent vitreous coating) with an ox brush; then distributed, again with a brush, red glaze over the entire body of the lion; the glazing stage requires a lot of skill, as it is important that the glaze is evenly deposited on the surface of the object, at which point, very quickly, to fix the glaze, the piece was put into the kiln between 920 and 940 degrees for the final firing. By looking at the underside of the paws we can better understand this technique. The lion was made between 1930 and 1933 in the Luneville area (France) in the style of the Saint-Clement pottery manufacturer. Saint Clement of Luneville is a famous French pottery manufactory located in Luneville, in the Lorraine region. Founded in 1758, by Jacques Chambrette of Luneville, Saint-Clement is one of the oldest pottery factories in France, and the objects that come to be produced in and around Saint-Clément are the fruit of this long tradition. The production of Saint-Clement, and that of the entire Luneville area, is known for its high quality and variety of styles. Over the centuries, the factory and artisans in the area have produced a wide range of ceramic wares, including plates, vases, figurines, sculptures, and decorative objects. The production is distinguished by the beauty of the decorations, attention to detail, and the use of bright colors. Saint-Clement pottery has played a significant role in the history of French ceramics and has continued its activity to the present day. Today, the products of Saint-Clement, and those of the entire Luneville region, are still highly sought after, and the manufactory has maintained its reputation for excellence in the field of artistic ceramics. The image of the lion is one of the most exploited and ancient symbols in human history; it is undoubtedly a protagonist in the history of art, multifaceted and ubiquitous, so much so that it enters the collective unconscious. The lion is, first of all, a solar animal, expressing brightness and light, characteristics of celestial energies. It also stands for royalty, being quintessentially the king of animals, a symbol of strength, courage, and wisdom. As a solar animal, it also represents wild instincts as well as the life force of nature. In the positive valence, the lion stands for royalty and wisdom. The item is in excellent condition. Measures length cm.50, depth cm.15, height cm.20.