In the 17th century, an important faience factory was founded by Louis Pöterat. In 1722 there were already 13 factories in Rouen, including those of Guilibaud and Vileray. During the entire 18th century an intense production followed, including those of Poterat, Caussy, Guilibaud and Levavasseur. Le vieux Rouen is characterized by a thick opaque white tin glaze with a powerful blue cobalt painting. Inspiration was gained from Nevers and Delft. Polychrome underglaze painting was used for the first time in 1699.

Presented is a very special animal figure of a lion in Rouen faience with blue and white decoration. The sitting lion has turned its head forward with an open mouth. Its long mane and tail are in relief painted in a dense dark blue cobalt under a “greasy” white glaze. The head is highlighted in blue on the eyebrows, eyes, whiskers, ears and mouth. The tail is passed between the hind legs over the right hip. It sits on a slightly raised rectangular base with a flecked lighter blue color. At the bottom, the base ring is not glazed and shows a light yellow-brown pâte. The figure dates from the 18th century. No mark is visible.

Condition: loss of enamel on the nose and upper lip, otherwise perfect.