St Clement barbotine majolica, Art Nouveau

A rare and beautiful french antique barbotine majolica divided serving dish, in a lovely art nouveau cherry fruit and branch design on a gorgeous duck egg blue ground. Hand made by k&g (keller and guérin) at their saint clement factory in france c1900-1920. An exquisite rare piece in very good condition for a connoisseur of antique majolica. This excellent example of a large centerpiece server features the characteristic subtle colouring and shading for which saint clement wares are renowned. The beautiful barbotine sculpted surface details in an art nouveau style complement the cherry branches with their pink / red fruits and leaves in a naturalistic hand painted colorway. Intricate incised detail on the foliage, along with scrolls and ray patterns complete the design. The colors are in a pastel palette of delicate duck egg blue / green, deep pink red cherries and various tones green for the leaves. Subtle variations and graduations in the color create depth, with the shade and highlights within the polychrome hand painted glazes accenting the sculpted elements to beautiful effect. In very good antique condition with no chips or cracks. 3 tiny 'flea bite' glaze losses on one of the inner arms of the dish (>1mm diameter each). No crazing, no stains, light signs of use may be present. A few small manufacturing flaws with a medium inclusion (approx 1cm diameter) of unglazed biscuit on the base (not visible on display) and a few black spots under the glaze in one section. Overall very light signs of wear and use, with nothing to detract from appearance on display. Stamped on the base with an impressed mark for saint clement, france with model number 2305, along with stamped mark (smudged) which reads: " peint a la main, st clement, france" (painted by hand saint clement, france). Dimensions (approx): Diameter - 32cm. Height - 9cm. A fabulous and very rare piece of antique hand made french design to enjoy in your home!.