Important Barbotine Ceramic Rooster by Jérôme Massier Circa 1900 - 38½"

A bold and joyful expression of Provençal craftsmanship, this very large barbotine ceramic rooster, dating to circa 1900, is a striking creation by Jérôme Massier (1850–1916), one of the most celebrated members of the renowned Vallauris pottery dynasty. Towering in scale and richly enameled in jewel-like tones, the piece embodies the theatrical naturalism for which Massier’s work is admired.

Proudly poised with head raised, beak open in mid-crow, and tail feathers fanned in rhythmic curves, the rooster exudes vitality and rural grandeur. Its surface is ablaze with color: sunlit golds, russet reds, emerald greens, and deep sapphire blues, applied in thick, glossy glazes characteristic of the barbotine technique.

Beyond its visual appeal, the rooster also carries cultural symbolism as the emblematic animal of France, a traditional figure of vigilance and resilience. This example is signed on the base and shows a discreet old restoration near the foot, serving as a vivid expression of regional pride and ceramic artistry.

Both sculptural and spirited, this monumental rooster would make a commanding focal point in a country house kitchen, garden room, or farmhouse patio.